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Rally for Arlo

Community to celebrate unexpected survival of puppy following vicious attack

By Don Coble don@opcfla.com
Posted 5/19/21

FLEMING ISLAND – Frank Byman always knew there would be a day when his community would get together to remember his puppy, Arlo. For weeks, however, he figured it would be to memorialize the …

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Rally for Arlo

Community to celebrate unexpected survival of puppy following vicious attack


Posted

FLEMING ISLAND – Frank Byman always knew there would be a day when his community would get together to remember his puppy, Arlo. For weeks, however, he figured it would be to memorialize the beagle’s difficult fight after being mauled by an aggressive dog.

The one thing nobody expected was the dogged determination by an animal that not only survived being tossed by the neck like a ragdoll on March 30, but getting through five different life-saving procedures and surgeries.

Many of the residents of the Ashton/Brighton subdivision will meet at Moccasin Slough Park on Sunday to meet a spunky dog who has more than 100 followers on the community’s nextdoor.com website.

“I want these people to have a chance to come see him,” Byman said. “So many want to meet him. Every time I post an update on Nextdoor, so many people chime in with responses. He’s an amazing little guy.”

The party at 4393 Raggedy Point Road on Fleming Island will run from 2-4 p.m. More important, the park is pet friendly.

For more than two months, nobody expected a celebration. Byman and his wife were talking their three dogs along Winston Lane when a Dogo Argentino attacked the 13-week-old beagle, according to an incident report filed by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. Byman eventually managed to tear his dog from the Dogo Argentino’s mouth, but not before he put the dog in a headlock and poked him in the eyes.

From there, Arlo struggled for weeks to breath and eat. He suffered nerve damage in his neck, which restricted his ability to swallow. Every procedure at BluePearl Pet Hospital in Orange Park was described as a last-ditch effort.

“He wouldn’t die,” Byman said. “He didn’t get up, so I didn’t give up. It was a horrible three weeks.”

According to Byman and the arrest report, Byman’s three dogs were on a leash as they walked in front of a neighbor’s house. The Dogo Argentino was released from inside the house and it attacked one of two beagles.

Dogo Argentinos are one of the most-lethal breeds in the world. They specialize in hunting big game, especially wild boar. Some, however, can be trained for search and rescue, police assistance, guide dog and competitive obedience.

“It’s a pit bull on steroids,” Byman said. “It’s a dangerous dog. It’s a killing machine. They’re called a gladiator breed.”

With a bite of 500 pounds a square inch, 100-pound muscular build and a history of ferocity, Denmark, Norway, United Kingdom, the Cayman Islands, Iceland, Australia, Singapore and Turkey have banned the dog from their countries.

Clay County Animal Services investigated the attack, Byman said, but the department didn’t issue any penalties.

Arlo spent two weeks at the animal hospital, racking up more than $15,000 in expenses. Byman said his attorney will attempt to recoup the money from the Dogo’s owner’s homeowner’s insurance.

Byman said he’s committed to pushing Clay County to changing its rules regarding dangerous animals.

“I don’t want the dog put down,” he said. “That’s not what this is about. I want Clay County to update its archaic dangerous dog laws. I want to protect my neighborhood. You can’t have a vicious dog like that running around without a leash.”

For now, Byman is more focused on thanking the residents who rallied around his puppy.

“I cannot repay you all for your thoughts, prayers, kind words and support although I will try,” he wrote on Nextdoor. “With that said, as I am fogging up my glasses, we are planning a party for all of you to attend if possible. He still needs a few weeks to [fully] heal a little more and gain his lost weight back.”

Next week: What are the rules regarding dangerous animals in Clay County?