By Eric Parry
Staff writer
May 14, 2008 10:00 am DERRY — Derry police killed a dog on Monday who attacked one woman and was feared to have rabies. Cheryl William, 37, of 160 Bypass Route 28, found a stray pitbull and rottweiler mix near where she works in Malden, Mass., and decided to bring it home last Friday, according to Capt. Vernon Thomas. On Sunday, William attempted to put the dog in a pen in her backyard but instead it sent her to Parkland Medical Center with serious injuries. Animal Control Officer Marlene Bishop said the woman was bitten on the neck, arm and chest but was released from the hospital on Monday. The dog was picked up by Derry police and on Monday they were given a court order to euthanize the animal for a rabies exam. "We're concerned about the possibility it's rabid," Thomas said. Both Derry police and Malden, Mass., police were unable to find the dog's owner. Bishop said the dog could have been used for fighting at one point because the dog had scarring on its face, neck and head. White hair in those areas are good indications that the animal was used for dog fighting, Bishop said. It's never a good idea to bring home a stray animal, Bishop said, because it could be dangerous or have diseases. "I always tell people not to take strays home, especially with children," she said.
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