Binghamton Dog Park Tragedy: Canine Dies After Vicious Attack

A Binghamton man says he lost his beloved eight-year-old dog following an unprovoked attack by a much larger animal at a city dog park.

David Cohn said the incident happened at Cheri Lindsey Bark Park on the North Side on April 21. He said he and his dog Sammie were attacked as they were preparing to leave the dog park.

Cohn said the 12-pound Sammie was much smaller than the dog that went after her. He said Sammie was a morkie - a breed that combines the characteristics of both the Maltese and the Yorkshire terrier.

Cohn said as he was about to exit the park's fenced-in area, the other dog - a large Cane Corso - started "snarling and growling." He said the dog "busted through the gate" and attacked him and Sammie.

Cohn said: "Before I knew it, he bit my arm and ripped Sammie out of my arms." He said the other dog latched onto Sammie "like a rag doll."

Cohn said four or five parks department workers who saw what was happening rushed to provide assistance. He said they managed to get the other dog to release Sammie.

Cohn took his dog to an animal hospital which stitched up multiple deep wounds. He said "unfortunately, Sammie died in my arms eight days later."

Cohn said he reported the incident to Mayor Jared Kraham's office and to the dog control officer. He said he's disappointed that he hasn't had a response from the mayor's office.

City police were called to the Bark Park around 8:30 a.m. Thursday when someone reported the dog that attacked Sammie was back.

The owner of the animal was sitting in a truck while his dog was in a small pen in the park. He said he lives in Hillcrest and brings his dog to the park at "seven o'clock every morning."

The man said his dog had not attacked other dogs at the Bark Park.

Binghamton animal control officer David Ely, who responded to the park after police were called, said he couldn't comment on Cohn's allegations because the matter remained under investigation.

Mayor Kraham did not respond to an email seeking comment on the alleged attack or whether the city can prevent people with aggressive or dangerous dogs from using the dog park.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.