Deadly Animal Attacks in NY a Mystery

Wild animal attacks perplex residents, officials
January 11, 2003

By SETH HARKNESS Herald Staff

HAMPTON, N.Y. � Attacks on two heifers and a dog � the latter one fatal � have people wondering what sort of deadly animal is prowling the border region near Route 22A.

On New Year�s Eve, Steve Mestyan of Hickey Road found his dog, which had been missing about 36 hours, critically injured and cowering under a trailer after an apparent run-in with another animal.

�It was a horrible sight,� Mestyan said of the family�s mixed breed pet, Babe. �She was pretty well mangled up.�

The dog had �huge bite marks the size of two fists� on her shoulders, and �claw marks like razor cuts,� he said.