Pit Bulldogs Attack and Kill Physician in Dayton Onslaught

DAYTON, Ohio — Two pit bulldogs attacked and killed the former chief of surgery at the Veterans Administration hospital in an attack witnesses said lasted at least 25 minutes, police said today.

Dr. William Eckman of suburban Kettering died Monday afternoon in Good Samaritan Hospital and Health Center, about two hours after the attack. At one point during the attack about nine people were trying to subdue the dogs with poles, pipes and brooms, police said.

Karen Woolard, who witnessed the attack, said the dogs “had him in the middle of the street. They had his shoes and pants off. They had his underwear half way down him. It was gruesome.”