Residents of the Dix Hills neighborhood on Long Island are voicing serious concerns about public safety after two pit bulls escaped from a local residence and allegedly attacked multiple people. Police responded to reports that a husband and wife were bitten on Blossom Street, and witnesses say the dogs have already injured four individuals.
Victims describe the attacks
Larry Ballereau, 63, recounted being mauled while trying to assist his wife, who had been bitten while jogging near a neighbor’s house. “Bleeding, knocked over, scratches, bruises everywhere,” Ballereau said. Video supplied to Eyewitness News shows the two pit bulls lunging at him, with one dog on each side as he struggled to push them away.
Ballereau added that a good‑Samaritan who was helping his wife was also bitten on August 10, and that the dogs had previously chased a child riding an e‑bike in July. “The dogs are just out and they are vicious, they are predators,” he said.
Owner disputes the characterization
Dog owner Anastasia Carnaras rejected the description of the animals as vicious. “We don’t have vicious dogs; we’ve been here 25 years and we have dogs,” she told reporters. Carnaras said the dogs escaped after a back gate on Penn Drive was left open—once by a landscaper and another time by a realtor.
She expressed remorse for the incidents, saying, “What happened is horrible, horrible. I understand what happened with the neighbors is horrible and I feel terrible about it.” Carnaras noted that new locks have been installed on the gate, but some residents argue that the measures are insufficient and are calling for the dogs to be removed from the neighborhood.
Local officials intervene
The Town of Huntington has issued three dangerous‑dog articles to the owner on behalf of the local district court and a notice to comply with code violations related to animal containment. A district spokesperson confirmed the actions, and the owner is scheduled to appear before a district court judge on Friday. Residents plan to attend the hearing to voice their concerns.
“This is a problem that has to be remedied and it feels like we are the ones that have to fight the town and Suffolk County,” resident Patrick Stanton said.
Community response
Neighbors are urging town officials to take stronger steps to ensure safety on local streets. “We should not be working so hard to make the streets safe from an obvious threat,” Stanton added.
Carnaras said she is seeking a professional behaviorist for the dogs and has been assured by town officials that they are not looking to seize the animals. Nonetheless, many in the community feel the dogs should not remain in the area.
As the hearing approaches, Dix Hills residents remain on edge, hoping for a resolution that will protect families and restore a sense of safety to their streets.
Original reporting: Brookhaven News – ABC7 New York — read the source article.
