Crime & Safety

Man Let Pit Bull Attack Mom Three Times, Cops Say

Mother thought she was going to die, police said. Twenty-one-year-old son being held in Cook County Jail on $20,000 bail.

A 21-year-old man faces felony charges after police said he let his pet pit bull attack his mother multiple times, reports said.

Jeremy Rusin, 21, of the 4900 block of West 91st St. was charged with battery, domestic battery and assault. He is being held on $20,000 bail at the Cook County Jail.

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Oak Lawn police responded to a report of a pit bull attacking a female as two people stood by and watched in the 4900 block of West 91st Street around 9:42 p.m. Jan. 4.

The caller told police that he was driving past the house when he slowed his car to see what was happening. Rusin allegedly yelled, “what the f--- are you looking it. Mind your business and get the f--- out of here,” the report said.

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Police said the caller drove away and called 911. As he was on the phone, Rusin drove up behind him in a silver car. Taking off his shirt and walking toward him, Rusin allegedly told the caller he was going to “kick his ass.”

When police arrived, Rusin put on his shirt. Officers said he was not making any sense when they handcuffed him. As police were opening the squad door, Rusin allegedly shouldered an officer in the chest.

Police said that Rusin immediately fell to ground complaining of shoulder pain. After a brief struggle, he was placed into the squad car, reports said.

Officers spoke to Rusin’s 51-year-old mother, who said she was sitting in the living room when her son came of out his room extremely angry and yelling, police said.

Rusin’s agitated state caused his 75-pound pit bull, Diesel, to start biting his mother in her stomach and arms. The mother said her son got hold of the dog as she tried to run outside, reports said.

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Police said that Rusin let Diesel go, allowing the dog to attack his mother again. The mother said her son did not want her to leave, so he reportedly grabbed her by the shoulder and threw her against the wall, causing her to hit her head.

As she ran outside, police said Rusin allegedly let the dog go a third time, which began attacking his mother on the front lawn.

Eventually the mother ran across the front lawn and told a neighbor to call police. Rusin then drove off after the passing witness.

According to the report, the mom said she thought numerous times that her son was going to kill her. She thought she was going to die when her son kept letting go of the dog, police said. The woman’s sister later brought her to the hospital.

Diesel, the dog, was aggressive and unapproachable, officers said. Rusin’s girlfriend was told by police to take the dog to Animal Welfare League until further notice.

At the station, Rusin allegedly refused to be fingerprinted. He again complained of shoulder pain and kept banging on his cell door, police said.

Rusin’s next court appearance is on Jan. 18.

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