'Excited' Pit Bull Named Hooch Bites 2 Girls At West Park

JOLIET, IL — Two girls were taken to the hospital by Joliet Fire Department ambulances and a 28-year-old Rockdale man was given a citation on Wednesday after one of his three dogs got excited and began biting a 7-year-old child playing at Joliet's West Park in the 600 block of Wheeler Avenue. A 15-year-old girl was also bitten on her hand, police said.

The afternoon incident drew a tremendous response from the Joliet Police Department. About 10 Joliet police cars went to the call.

Joliet police learned of the dog attack around 3:10 p.m. A 7-year-old girl told police that she was bitten on her leg by a dog owned by the man from Rockdale.

The man was visiting West Park with his pit bull "Hooch" plus his two other dogs, and all three dogs were on leashes, Joliet police said.

"Further investigation revealed that Hooch began barking and became excited at other people nearby. Hooch then bit a 7-year-old female that was nearby," police reports show.

A 15-year-old girl tried to get the smaller children away from the dogs, but she was also bitten on her hand by Hooch, police said.

The Rockdale man was eventually able to subdue Hooch, but he was bitten, too, reports state.

The two girls were taken to St. Joe's hospital and their injuries were not life-threatening, Joliet Police Sgt. Dwayne English told Patch.

Joliet Township Animal Control was called to the scene, and that's where the Rockdale dog owner was ticketed and released.

"This incident remains under investigation by Joliet Township Animal Control," English stated.