Tosa news from Japan

jeffnkazuko

90-year-old woman dies after being attacked by dog in Yamanashi

National May. 02, 2012 - 07:10AM JST ( 36 )

YAMANASHI —

A 90-year-old woman died after being attacked by a Tosa dog in Fuefuki, Yamanashi Prefecture, on Monday.

According to police, the woman, Masaru Kobayashi, was talking with a friend on the sidewalk at about 2:30 p.m. when the 2-year-old dog, which was being walked by its owner, slipped out of its collar, NTV reported.

A witness said the dog jumped at Kobayashi’s neck before its owner could restrain it. Kobayashi was taken to hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Police said they have received complaints in the past about the dog from local residents, NTV reported. The dog is one of three kept by the owner.

Heidi

Ugh, that's terrible.

Saya

That is just sad.

If they received complaints I wonder if they had given warning about fixing the issue or did police not check into it?

Too bad it happened.

TheWalrus

Yeah, saw that the other day.

jeffnkazuko

It seems the man in question was raising them to fight. Too bad some thing wasn't done about the earlier complaints.

shishiinu

Yeah saw that on NHK the other day. Just horrible.

BradA1878

The report is kinda vague on what the dog did to her.... Did he bite her? I mean, a big dog just jumping up on a 90 year old could kill her, ya know?

PoetikDragon

That's what I thought when I first read it, @brada1878.

kimputai

Well, if you are a 90 year old woman and attacked by a trained fighting dog who jumps in the neck I think the dog didn't even have to bite. But, a Tosa attacking a human is a very unstable dog, regardless if the dog is used for fights or not.