One dog dead, one missing after pit bull attack in Wilmington

One dog is dead and another is missing after a vicious pit bull attack at Brandywine Mills Plaza in Wilmington on Sunday. 

Jim Shanahan was dogsitting his stepdaughter Amanda's dogs, Louis and Coco, this month while she was in Europe with her boyfriend Luke. About 11 p.m. Sunday, he took them, along with his dog, Elvis, out on a walk near 18th and North Market streets. 

“Out of nowhere, this pit bull came and jumped on the three dogs," Shanahan said. 

The pit bull grabbed Elvis, a 6-pound rescue, and wouldn't let go, Shanahan said. He put his hand in the pit bull's mouth and tried to save his lovable canine friend, but couldn't.

Elvis quickly died. 

In the commotion, Louis and Coco got away. Shanahan, 65, pinned the pit bull down, leashed it and called 911. 

He was waiting for the police when a man and a woman pulled up and claimed they were from Delaware Animal Services. At first, Shanahan believed them; one was wearing a bright orange coat that said "rescue expedition," making the story more believable. 

But, as they approached, he got the sense something was wrong. When he tried to question them, the man quickly grabbed the pit bull by the collar and ran off down 19th Street. 

The woman took off in their vehicle before Shanahan could get the license plate number. He took a picture of the man and posted it on Facebook.

Shanahan now believes they were the pit bull's owners. 

“The whole thing is so messed up," he said. "It’s like otherworldly."

Sgt. Stephanie Castellani of the Wilmington Police Department said the incident is being investigated as a case of criminal impersonation. She said officers are coordinating with the state's animal control office. 

The police department is asking for the public's help identifying the man Shanahan caught on camera. If anyone recognizes him, they should dial 911 or contact Wilmington Police at 302-654-5151. 

Coats with "Rescue Expedition" on the back are sold by Ralph Lauren and are not worn by first responders, a quick Google search revealed. 

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Searching for Coco

Amazingly, Shanahan said, one of his stepdaughter's dogs, Louis, found its way back to his condo. 

"I still don’t know how he did it, because it’s gated," he said. 

Coco is still missing. 

The dogs are unfamiliar with the area, Shanahan said. His stepdaughter is from Dallas but flew to England from Philadelphia so she could leave the dogs with somebody she trusts.

"I texted them that night when I was looking for their dog,” Shanahan said. 

He told Amanda and Luke the whole story while he was in the ER at Christiana Hospital getting a rabies shot. Shanahan told them they didn't need to cut their trip short and come back to the states, but they insisted.

Four hours later, they were on a plane. 

Now, the whole family is searching for the missing dog, who is still a puppy. Shanahan was walking near Lamont and 22nd streets on Tuesday when a group of kids said they had seen her in the neighborhood. 

On Wednesday, he was back with six people and 2,000 posters. He is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to her return. 

If somebody had planned on keeping her, they'll get enough money to buy a brand new dog, he reasoned. 

“This one kid said he saw her holding the leash in the mouth," Shanahan said. "The weather's going to turn Friday, so we have to find her soon." 

If anyone finds Coco, they can call Shanahan at 302-528-9141, dial 911 or call Delaware Animal Services at 302-255-4646. 

The lovable rescue 

Elvis was scrappy but lovable, Shanahan said. 

He was a street dog, who had been living in the 500 block of Fifth St. until he was caught by the Brandywine Valley SPCA. 

Shanahan's wife, Tami, found the dog during an adoption event at a Village Market hosted by Old Brandywine Village Inc., a historic preservation and development group for which they are board members. 

“She looked at the crate and said, 'I have to have that dog,'" Shanahan said laughing. "He was just this straggly, mutt kind of thing. He probably had some mini schnauzer in him." 

Despite his appearance, Elvis was incredibly smart and loyal, Shanahan said. His death was a huge loss. 

To make the whole thing worse, Shanahan said, is the fact that Old Brandywine Village, Inc., recently got a $60,000 grant to install cameras near the site of the attack. 

The first batch was supposed to be installed in November but got delayed. 

"If we had got those cameras in, the whole thing would have been filmed," Shanahan said. 

Shanahan said he's heard of other pit bull attacks in Wilmington and thinks it's become a huge problem for the city. 

Some municipalities ban the breed, he pointed out. 

“Everyone’s afraid of the pit bulls around here," he said. "It's out of control." 

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Contact Jessica Bies at (302) 324-2881 or jbies@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @jessicajbies.