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MCKEESPORT, Pennsylvania (WTAE) — A McKeesport family is relocating their emus and other animals after their 2-year-old emu Barb was killed by their neighbor’s two pit bulls, prompting an investigation by local authorities.
“These dogs have been terrorizing our family for years,” said Carly Stroman, one of the emu’s owners.
The dogs reportedly broke through fencing and chased Barb down a back alley, where they mauled her to death.
“Once we got the animal back, the amount of damage done, those dogs — was torn, literally, through 3 inches of just fat sections straight into muscle,” said Jerry Stroman, Carly’s brother.
The family said this is not the first time the dogs have attacked their animals.
“They’ve gotten in and they’ve killed a couple chickens before they were reported for that,” Jerry Stroman said.
Carly Stroman expressed concern for her children’s safety, saying, “It easily could’ve been one of my kids had we been here. I have a 5-year-old. I have a 9-year-old. We can’t have them play.”
The family had previously reinforced their fencing after the dogs killed their chickens, but the measures were not enough to prevent this latest attack.
“We’re completely at a loss. We keep losing money and fencing because they can’t control their dogs,” Carly Stroman said.
Now, the family is rushing to pack up their animals and relocate while mourning the loss of Barb.
“Obviously we treated [her] as a pet just like they treated their dog as a pet,” Jerry Stroman said.
Carly Stroman said she wants the dogs to be held accountable.
“I want those dogs taken care of humanely, because they didn’t give that right to my bird,” she said.
The Department of Agriculture and the county dog warden have been called to investigate. Officials confirmed the case is an open investigation.
The family has created a GoFundMe page to help with costs associated with a new, stronger fence.
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