Man dies after being bitten by pit bulls on South Side

January 18, 2010

SUN-TIMES MEDIA WIRE

A man was dead on the scene Sunday night after suffering multiple bites to his head and arms from six pit bulls in the Washington Heights neighborhood on the South Side.

Police began an investigation into the death of a man in the 10200 block of South Aberdeen Street after receiving a call at 10:20 p.m., Officer Ronald Gaines of Chicago Police News Affairs said.

Johnny Wilson, 56, of the 10000 block of S. Aberdeen St., was dead on the scene, according to a spokesman for the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office who said Wilson was bitten by dogs at his home.

Wilson, who suffered severe head trauma, including having both his ears bitten off and at least one of his eyes mauled, also suffered injuries to both arms.

A source indicated Wilson’s daughter was the owner of the pit bulls and also possibly bred them. The dogs may have been scared by the low pitch of Wilson’s voice or in some other way, according to the source.

Chicago Fire Department crews responded about 11 p.m. but did not transport anyone to a hospital.

“We did respond but it was made a crime scene right away and we left,’’ according to Fire Media Affairs spokesman Joe Roccasalva, who said the exact address of the incident was 10206 S. Aberdeen.

Gaines said four adult pit bulls and two pit bull puppies have been taken over by the city's department of Animal Care & Control, 2741 S. Western Ave.

The source said there was no history of mistreatment of the dogs.

An autopsy scheduled for later Monday will determine the cause and manner of Wilson's death.

From: http://www.suntimes.com/news/24-7/1996866,south-side-pit-bull-death-011810.article