PEABODY — A pit bull responsible for a vicious attack Thursday that injured three women and a police officer at a Peabody mobile home park remained quarantined yesterday.
Two of its victims, meanwhile, were said to be in good condition after a night in the hospital. Sarah Malave, 24, of Middleton was due to be discharged yesterday from Salem Hospital, a spokeswoman said. Cassandra Osgood, 23, of Danvers was still receiving care at Massachusetts General Hospital.
The dog, its fate still to be decided, was being kept at the Borash Veterinary Clinic in Peabody, police Capt. Dennis Bonaiuto said.
Patrolman William Swaczyk was the first to arrive at lot 144 of Mobile Estates at 286 Newbury St.
"There were several officers involved who said that Officer Swaczyk's actions were nothing short of heroic," Bonaiuto said.
Shortly before 5 p.m., Swaczyk entered the home and discovered the 110-pound pit bull "viciously mauling" Malave. The officer immediately attempted to wrestle the animal off her, Bonaiuto said.
Patrolman Mark Bettencourt was next on the scene. He saw Jamie Brickman, 27, of Peabody outside the home bleeding from her back. Brickman, neighbors said, is the live-in girlfriend of the dog's owner, Brian Stevens, 27. Malave and Osgood were visiting her, according to neighbors.
Malave escaped when the dog turned its attention to Swaczyk. Bettencourt entered and saw Swaczyk with both arms around the pit bull's neck and the dog "flailing wildly," Bonaiuto said, reading a report of the incident.
Bettencourt moved to help his fellow officer control the animal. Eventually, the two men were able to separate themselves, exit the home and close the door behind them. Swaczyk, Bettencourt and Malave were safe.
"What about Cassandra?" a girl outside asked.
Osgood, already bloodied by the dog, was in a back room. Patrolman Tony Santos, aided by his colleagues, broke a window to gain access. He then climbed in and helped Osgood out. The pit bull paced back and forth in the front room during the rescue, Bonaiuto said.
Osgood was taken to Salem Hospital and then airlifted to Massachusetts General Hospital. Swaczyk was treated and released from Salem Hospital for injuries to his arm. He returned to the hospital for additional treatment yesterday, Bonaiuto said.
"He ran right into that home without any concern for his own safety," Bonaiuto said. He also praised the performance of others who responded, Bettencourt, Santos, Patrolman Leo Cuhha and Lt. John McCorry among them.
The risk-filled environment made the officers reluctant to use their firearms, Bonaiuto said. The walls of the mobile home are "paper-thin," the homes in the park are so close together and each has an exposed propane tank, he said.
The pit bull's owner secured the dog in its cage, and the city's animal control officer transported it.
Bonaiuto, a 27-year veteran in Peabody, called the incident unprecedented in his experience.
"I've never seen anything like this," he said.
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