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Family of Child Killed in Hopkinton Posted March 7, 2011 6:55 pm HOPKINTON –The mother of a three-year-old killed in a dog attack this weekend said the family doesn’t know how the two Rottweilers got out of a secure kennel. Rhonda Marty, mother of victim Vanessa Husmann, said the attack happened in a fenced-in back yard at the family’s Hopkinton home Saturday afternoon. The dogs, later destroyed by authorities after the attack, were kept in a separate, locked kennel in the back yard. Marty said her daughter was “never left unattended with the dogs. Somehow they had gotten out on their own.” Marty speculated that the dogs might have dug underneath the fence surrounding the kennel. But she said no one may know for sure because on Sunday, a day after the death, family members “…destroyed the kennel and removed it.” She added that her daughter participated in some of the care and feeding of the Rottweilers with her father Vaughn Husmann, so she was familiar with the dogs. Marty said it was important that people know that Vanessa was not left unattended. She was in the care of her 18-year-old half brother when she apparently went out the back door of her home into her own fenced-in yard. Her mother said “it is her yard. She walked out the door. Her swing set is outside. She came and went a lot. We didn’t know the dogs had gotten out because they were to be locked up.” Funeral information is not finalized yet and may be released on Tuesday. While the investigation continues into what happened, the mayor of Hopkinton said the city council there would explore tightening animal control rules that already ban some dogs from the city. Currently, Hopkinton does not allow residents to keep Staffordshire terriers, or any type of pit bull, in the city as a pet. That ban also applies to pit bull mixed breeds. Cathy Harris, Hopkinton Mayor, said she added an item to the Monday night city council agenda to discuss adding Rottweilers and Rottweiler mixed breeds to that ban. The city clerk was gathering information on Monday about bans in other communities and other large dog breeds that should be added to an expanded list. The nearby community of Monticello also bans pit bulls, but not Rottweilers. Harris said she thought of expanding the city’s banned dog list immediately after learning of the dog attack. “My first thought was we need to get them (Rottweilers) out of town because they are a dangerous dog,” Harris said. Harris also said the city knew about the Rottweilers at that address for some time because a member of the city council is a next door neighbor. Bob Porter said when he the Rottweilers move in he wasn’t happy. But Porter admitted the dogs were well cared for and in a secured area and never caused any problems except for occasional barking. But any attempt to add that breed to the banned list is likely to draw some reaction from pet owners. Jody and Lisa Davis own a Rottweiler/German Shepherd mixed breed named “Zeus.” They would not take kindly to any effort to get their dog out of town. “It’s not just a breed thing,” Jody Davis said “it’s how the animals are raised and in my 42 years I’ve never seen such a thing (dog attack) happen. “ While the city council may discuss adding Rottweilers to the prohibited list in Hopkinton, the mayor said any vote on the question won’t come up before the next meeting in April.
Hopkinton Dog Attack Victim Identified; City May Change Animal Ordinance By Dave Franzman, Reporter
HOPKINTON, Iowa - Delaware County authorities released the name of the 3-year-old who died in that weekend attack by two Rottweilers. Vanessa Elizabeth Husmann suffered serious injuries when attacked by the two dogs in her backyard at 206 3rd Street, Hopkinton. Husmann was pronounced dead at Jones Regional Hospital in Anamosa. Her parents, Vaughn Husmann and Rhonda Marty, live at the address where the attack happened Saturday afternoon. The dogs, who were euthanized by the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, belonged to the child’s grandfather. The animals were usually kept in Monticello, according to the sheriff, although a kennel and fence was installed at the Hopkinton home. Hopkinton Mayor Cathy Harris said the community has a vicious animal ordinance in place. And that ordinance specifically bans pit bull and pit bull mixed breeds from being kept within city limits. But that ordinance does not specifically mention the Rottweiler breed of dog. Harris said members of the city council will discuss adding Rottweilers, and potentially other breeds of dog, to the ordinance that would prohibit anyone from keeping them within city limits. The mayor said the city clerk is drafting a change that officials will discuss tonight and possibly vote on next month. The Hopkinton city council meets at 7 p.m. Monday at the town’s city hall. Harris said the city was aware of the Rottweilers at the residence before the attack, but had no reports of any problems or vicious tendencies and could not take any action because that breed wasn’t banned by ordinance. Hopkinton city council member Bob Porter lives next door to the home where the attack happened Saturday afternoon. Porter said when he saw Rottweilers move in next door, he wasn’t happy. But Porter admitted the dogs were well cared for and in a secured area and never caused any problems except for occasional barking. Porter said he’s heard the arguments that banning certain breeds is ineffective as a safety measure because any dog can become vicious if treated improperly or not trained. Porter said he doesn’t know how he will vote if a change in the city’s animal control ordinance comes up for consideration. No funeral or visitation information is available yet for Vanessa Husmann.
Funeral for Iowa toddler killed by dogs Created: 03/08/2011 3:18 PM KSAX.com HOPKINTON, Iowa (AP) - Funeral services are set for a 3-year-old girl killed by two dogs in the backyard of her home in Hopkinton in northeast Iowa. The Des Moines Register says the funeral for Vanessa Husmann will be at 2 p.m. Friday at St. Luke's Catholic Church in Hopkinton. The toddler died last Saturday after being attacked by two Rottweilers. The child's mother, Rhonda Marty, told the newspaper she doesn't know how the dogs got out of a locked kennel in the backyard. She says her daughter was never left alone with the dogs. But Marty says they got out somehow, perhaps by digging under the fence. Blake Muller, who was at his mother's house nearby, tried to rescue Vanessa but fled when the dogs turned on him. The dogs were euthanized.
NEW DETAILS: Hopkinton Council considers Rottweiler ban after deadly attack Posted: Mar 05, 2011 10:06 PM EST
HOPKINTON (KWWL) -- We now know the name of a three year old girl killed after she was mauled by dogs this weekend. And some government leaders say they may make changes in their city as a result of the attack. Authorities say Saturday, two rottweilers mauled three-year-old Vanessa Husmann in her backyard in the 200 block of Third Street SE in Hopkinton. Authorities say the child was in the care of her 18-year-old stepbrother at the time. Friends and family members worked Sunday to remove the fence that reminds the family of the tragedy. The Hopkinton City Council is re-examining its animal control laws. Right now, the laws ban pit bulls and "vicious animals". Some council members hope to include rottweilers. Leaders of the Dubuque Humane Society say not every Rottweiler is vicious. "There's a potential for this to happen with every breed, as well as, it's very important to supervise dogs with kids as well as socialize and train them," says Pete Murphy with the Dubuque Regional Humane Society. The Delaware County Sheriff's Office says the medical examiner is investigating the nature of the attack. The dogs were euthanized reportedly at the owners' request.
DHS To Investigate Deadly Dog Attack POSTED: 2:34 pm CST March 8, 2011
HOPKINTON, Iowa -- The Department of Human Services is investigating after a 3-year-old girl was killed by two dogs in the backyard of her home in Hopkinton in northeast Iowa. DHS officials said it will look into whether the death of Vanessa Husmann fits into a legal definition of abuse. DHS officials said assessors must conclude that the alleged perpetrator either caused abuse or failed to take reasonable action to prevent abuse to a child. The funeral for Husmann will be at 2 p.m. Friday at St. Luke's Catholic Church in Hopkinton. The child's mother, Rhonda Marty, said she doesn't know how the dogs got out of a locked kennel in the backyard. She said her daughter was never left alone with the dogs. Marty said they got out somehow, perhaps by digging under the fence. Blake Muller, who was at his mother's house nearby, tried to rescue Vanessa but fled when the dogs turned on him. The dogs were euthanized.
obituary Wednesday, March 9, 2011
HOPKINTON, Iowa -- Vanessa Husmann, 3, of Hopkinton, died Saturday, March 5, 2011, at her home. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, March 11, at St. Luke's Catholic Church, Hopkinton, with the Rev. John Kremer officiating. Burial will be in the Hopkinton Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 10, at the church, where there will be a prayer service at 4 p.m. Surviving are her mother and father, Vaughn and Rhonda Marty Husmann; a sister, Taylor Kremer, of Monticello; two brothers Brandon and Jake Marty, both of Hopkinton; grandparents, Kay Less and John McElmeel, both of Wyoming, John and Carolyn Less, of Nebraska, Nancy Husmann and Robert Marshall, of Texas, and Colin Husmann, of Monticello; and great-grandparents, Elizabeth J. Wilson, of Hopkinton, and Delbert and Janaan Husmann, of Monticello. A memorial fund has been established at Citizens State Bank, Monticello and Hopkinton, Dupaco Community Credit Union, Dubuque and Manchester, and Regions Bank, Monticello. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.goettschonline.com. |
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