Significant policy changes have been made at the Oakland County Animal Shelter following a vicious dog attack that resulted in severe injuries for a county employee.

On Dec. 12, Shelter Supervisor Shelley Grey was attacked by a Pitbull while tending to the dog in the shelter's quarantine area. The dog was shot and killed by an animal control officer to save Grey from further harm as it would not let go of her right arm.

She's recovering from her injuries, which included a broken left finger that required surgery and muscular damage to her right forearm that also required surgery.

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+3 Animal shelter employee injured in pit bull attack An Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center was injured in a pit bull attack Thursday morning.

Shelter Manager Bob Gatt said Grey was fearing for her life during the two-minute attack. He said dogs brought into the quarantine area are required by law to be held there for at least 10 days so that officers can observe it for any rabid tendencies after it bites someone.

"There is no indication of what caused the dog to attack Shelley," said Gatt. "If you have a dog or cat, or any animal, that's going to hurt a human being, you're best bringing it to us. This was a dog owner that knew the dog was dangerous and decided they would keep it no matter what."

In addition to policy changes, new safety equipment and signage has been placed onto the outside wall of the quarantine area so that anyone can be prepared before entering the space.

Shelter policy changes include:

Double locks on all six quarantine cage doors

No physical contact with dogs by jail inmate workers in quarantine area

Staff must carry audible alerts and leashes at all times in quarantine rooms

Enhanced and regular training of staff and teams of staff on new safety equipment, dog behavior trends, and situational drills.

Gatt said criminal charges will not be filed against the dog's owners and that the family has not spoken to the county since the Dec. 12 attack. He said the dog did not attack anyone between Oct. 17 and Dec. 12.

"This is not a day to attack Pitbulls," he said. "This is a day to talk about responsible ownership of dangerous animals. It's all about how they are raised. We have some Pitbulls in the building that are wonderful and loving pets."

Timeline of events

Oct. 16

Troy police responded to a home on a report of a dog biting its owner and two children, all three of which were transported to Troy Beaumont Hospital.

The male owner told police that the dog had a history of being aggressive and told officers he no longer wanted the dog.

The dog was transported to the Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center for a ten-day quarantine period.

Oct. 17

The dog bit an animal control officer causing puncture wounds in the officer's leg.

Animal control officer returned to the home informing the dog's owner of the incident at the shelter, urging the man to relinquish ownership of the dog to the county as it posed a threat to children.

County informed male owner that case would go to court if he or female owner did not sign an owner surrender form

Oct. 18

Female owner expressed that she did not want to give up ownership of the dog

County contacted Michigan Department of Health and Human Services about the matter since children were involved

Oct. 22

Female owner speaks with animal control officer reiterating that she did not want to give up ownership of the dog

Dec. 5 through Dec. 16