What began as an ordinary afternoon walk ended with the death of a family dog and questions about public safety after two loose dogs charged a Palos Heights resident and her dog Sept. 15 near Chippewa Elementary School.
Erin Work was walking Poppy at about 4:10 p.m. near Chippewa Elementary School, 12425 S. Austin Ave., when she saw two loose pit bulls inside a gated playground area where children were present.
Poppy was wearing a body harness and was secured to a 6-foot leash, Work said.
As Work and Poppy walked along the public sidewalk on the south side of the school, both dogs saw them and charged. One of the dogs attacked Poppy.
“What followed was horrific,” Work said.
Poppy tried to escape as Work repeatedly attempted to pick her up and protect her.
“I tried repeatedly to pick her up and protect her, but the attacking dog continued pulling her away from me,” Work said.
Two women who had been sitting on a nearby bench ran over to help. A young girl was also in the area babysitting two children near the playset.
Work said the three women struggled to get the dog away from Poppy, but the animal would not release her.
“He continued attacking her and would not give up,” Work said. “The women tried to help free Poppy, but the dog was too strong and persistent.”
Bystanders suffered scratches, clawing and bruising while trying to stop the attack, according to Work.
Eventually, a man who witnessed the attack drove his truck onto the school lawn so those involved could get to safety.
Work rushed Poppy to Premier Veterinary Group in Orland Park, where veterinary staff attempted CPR.
“The veterinary team attempted CPR, but her injuries were too severe,” Work said. “Poppy died.”
The loss has left Work and Casey Rauhut looking for answers about what happened, how the dogs were allowed to be loose and what will happen next.
The family also has questions about the response from Animal Control.
Work said the family was told the agency would not willingly pick up the attacking dog because, according to what they were told, the dog is given three chances before it can be taken and euthanized.
“That is unacceptable,” Work said.
The family is particularly concerned because the attack happened near a school while children were present.
“What if it had been a child?” Work asked. “Would a parent be told, ‘Sorry, the dog is not considered violent until it has had three chances’?”
Work said the family believes a dog that has already caused serious harm should not be given another opportunity to hurt someone.
“We are now trying to understand how this was allowed to happen, what consequences will follow, and what can be done to prevent another family or potentially a child from experiencing something similar,” she said.
The incident was formally reported to authorities, according to the family.
The family said the attack raises broader questions about community safety and how dangerous dogs are handled.
“We want accountability for what happened to Poppy,” Work said. “We also believe there is a larger community-safety story here, particularly because this occurred on school property while children were present and because the response afterward has raised serious concerns about how dangerous dogs are handled.”
At the center of those concerns is Poppy, who Work said deserved to return home from her afternoon walk.
“Most importantly, we want Poppy’s story to be heard,” Work said.
“She deserved to come home from her walk that afternoon,” she said. “We cannot change what happened to her, but we hope that by bringing attention to this incident, there can be meaningful accountability and immediate steps taken to ensure another pet owner, family or child does not have to experience what we did.”
