Pair Of Pitbull Attacks Stun Parts Of Tri-State Area

MAMARONECK, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A suburbanwoman was nursing her wounds and mourning the death of her dog following a vicious attack on Tuesday.

Josephine Catalfamo told CBS 2's Dick Brennan that she was walking her 11-pound French breed named "Ane" on Florence Street when a neighbor's pitbull grabbed her dog and refused to let go.

"I was punching him. No, please, let her go," she said.

By the time the pitbull's owner came out and pulled the dogs apart it was too late.

Catalfamo's finger tip was torn off in the attack. She said she's currently taking pain killers and that she is having trouble sleeping.

Neighbors described the horrific attack and said they want the pitbull removed from the neighborhood. They have circulated a petition that has been signed by 46 people.

"I'm petrified. To have my daughter walk our dog, it could have been us," neighbor Kim Stein said.

Catalfamo agreed, telling CBS 2 that she doesn't want to see the pitbull again.

In another incident involving a pitbull, this time in the Baychester section of the Bronx, a 70-year-old woman was left in serious condition after a pitbull bit her on the face and neck before running away.

The dog's owner and grandson of the victim, Samuel Smith, told 1010 WINS reporter Gary Baumgarten that most of the damage was done when he tried to pull the dog away.

1010 WINS Reporter Gary Baumgarten reports...

"In the process of me pulling, trying to get him off of her, you know he bit her face," he said.

The dog recently gave birth to three puppies and has not been located.

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