Kathy McDaniel said, "This was a cry from Benji that I'd never heard before in my life and it's just ... I'll never forget it was just a horrid cry."
Benji and McDaniel's lab mix "Nilla" were attacked when three pit-bulls broke through the fence in her backyard.
McDaniel is on a new committee formed by the city of Exeter to reform a dangerous dog ordinance. The original draft required owners of roughly a dozen dog breeds, including pit bulls, to have liability insurance, and restrain their dogs. The proposal angered many residents.
Valley Oak SPCA Animal Control Supervisor Justin Helt said, "If you're deeming an animal vicious or dangerous before it has attacked and mauled or killed another animal then it's just not fair to point out those specific breed."
Helt is also on the committee. He says pointing out specific breeds would also increase the number of dogs at shelters and therefore hike up euthanasia rates.
"I just think it comes down to what's fair and any animal can bite somebody," said Helt.
In the last five years Exeter had 33 bite reports filed -- with bites by German Shepherds topping the list. But a majority of dangerous animal hearings held during that time period looked at aggressive behavior from Pit Bulls.
Exeter Police Chief Cliff Bush said, "Personally I think we need to hold the dog owner responsible."
The latest version of Exeter's dangerous dog ordinance would do just that -- giving pet owners strict requirements if their dog attacked another animal or person.
While McDaniel would like more specific rules against pit-bulls, she hopes the new ordinance protects the community.
"They did kill another neighbor's dog in July and if we would have had these tough ordinances in place then, Benji wouldn't have died," said McDaniel.
It could be several more weeks before the council considers the ordinance. The committee is still trying to nail down all the details to make those who love and hate pit-bulls -- happy.
