Young Woman Mauled by Dog, RPD Response Under Fire
Editor’s note: This article has been updated (Jan 6, 2025, 5:08 p.m.) to include information and perspectives from the city of Rochester’s Bureau of Communications and Special Events Director, Barbara Pierce and RPD spokesperson, Cap't Gregory Bello.
A young woman was viciously attacked by a dog early Friday morning, prompting outrage over the delayed police response despite multiple 911 calls and the proximity of a patrol car.
The victim, 18-year-old Amaris Curry, had just stepped outside to catch a bus to her new job when she was attacked by an American Pocket Bully—a powerful and compact breed. The horrifying incident unfolded on Del Monte Street around 8:30 AM.
“I heard her scream for me, ‘Mommy, come get these dogs,’” her mom Ashanti Curry recounted. She rushed outside to find her daughter being savagely attacked. “She was nearly being eaten alive by the dog,” Ashanti said, describing her frantic attempts to punch the dog and protect her daughter.
Despite desperate calls to 911 by Ashanti, her other daughter and several neighbors, Rochester Police (RPD) never arrived.
Ashanti described the frustration of arguing with a 911 operator while her daughter was bleeding and in extreme distress. “I was begging for help, and the operator was arguing with me,” she said.
The fire department was the first to arrive, followed by an ambulance. However, by the time they arrived, significant damage had already been done. The victim sustained severe injuries, including a broken arm and deep puncture wounds that required immediate medical attention.
Ashanti expressed outrage that despite the presence of a police patrol car just a block away, no officers responded to the scene. “The fire department can’t press charges, and I needed an officer there,” she said.
The family has since secured legal representation and is in the process of filing a complaint about RPD’s inaction and the fact that there have been no consequences for the dog-owner.
“They are allowing a dangerous animal to continue to be on the street,” Ashanti said. “What happens when that dog attacks someone else?”
According to Ashanti, the dog was not leashed or wearing a collar at the time and the owner of the dog, who reportedly does not speak English, was present during the attack but seemed unsure how to intervene.
This incident has raised serious concerns about RPD’s emergency response protocols in Rochester, with the family demanding answers and accountability. “We could not get this dog off her. What if it had been my grandson?” Ashanti asked, reflecting on the ordeal.
This is not the first time RPD has not responded to a call. Ashanti says they have had at least three other incidents on her street in the past 8 months where RPD was called but never showed up.
“I think there’s something larger going on here,” Ashante reflects. “Now I’m wondering if our street is on some type of block list. I just don’t know what to think.”
Ashanti says in addition to an upcoming surgery on her arm, her daughter is now suffering from the trauma of the incident. Amaris had to be rushed to the emergency room Saturday night.
“She was throwing up then became very hot and passed out,” Ashanti said.
Medical reports show Amaris had a vasovagal episode—a sudden drop in heart rate and blood pressure leading to fainting, often in reaction to a stressful trigger.
The incident has sparked ongoing conversations on social media over the weekend regarding the prioritization of 911 calls and the response of police vs fire and other emergency services.
At least one City Council member responded on social media sharing her concern for RPD “not doing their jobs.”
“We’ve allocated money for them to do a department wide audit to streamline their operations, but we can’t make the mayor take action.” Councilmember Mary Lupien wrote.
But who is responsible for emergencies involving animal attacks? RPD policy notes that 911 calls are prioritized “based on immediate safety risks to humans and animals.”
“In emergencies involving immediate threats, such as animal attacks, residents are advised to call 911. The 911 Center serves as a centralized Public Safety Answering Point for all emergency services within Monroe County, ensuring that calls are directed to the appropriate agencies, including the RPD and Animal Services,” noted on the city’s website.
Ashanti says RPD and the 911 system failed her daughter.
“They [NY State] have allocated millions of dollars for stop light cams, license plate readers and basically more technology and equipment but what are they doing to actually work for the people?” she asks.
“RPD's role in a dog bite type call is to ensure the immediate safety of the scene so that medical care can be provided as quickly as possible,” responded Captain Gregory Bello, RPD spokesperson. “Medical care is usually initiated by the fire department and then the ambulance takes over care and transports the patient to the hospital, if needed. The follow up investigation, including enforcement, typically falls under animal control's umbrella.”
Bello says he reviewed RPD’s response to this call. Regarding the specific timeline of the incident, Bello stated:
8:35 AM: The initial call reporting the dog bite was received.
8:36 AM: The call was dispatched.
8:37 AM: An update indicated that the dogs were no longer present at the scene and had returned to a nearby house.
8:40 AM: The fire department arrived on scene to provide medical assistance.
8:44 AM: The ambulance arrived to continue medical care.
“From what I can tell, it seems that it was reported very quickly to officers that the dogs were no longer present and therefore not a current danger. Additionally, it appears that medical care was provided by first responders within minutes,” Bello said.
City of Rochester Communications Director Barbara Pierce says it’s important to note that help was sent to assist the victims in this crisis.
“I understand what a person in crisis is looking for, but I want to point out that their concern about the city ‘not sending help’ But within five to six minutes you had Fire Department, ambulance on scene and soon thereafter the animal control officer was there addressing the problem,” Pierce said.
“Animal control officers are responsible for responding to these types of scenarios and they also responded that morning as well, connected with the victim and her mother and provided clarity on the next steps,” Pierce said. “They also connected with the owner of the dog and insured that the dog was secured.”
Pierce says to have the dog removed, there would need to be a deposition from the victim to initiate a “dangerous dog proceeding” that goes through the court system.
“After that there would be citations to the owner as well.”
Regarding the 911 call, Pierce says the call was reviewed and the city believes the call was handled “appropriately and professionally.”
However, Pierce says the complaint has been documented.
“At the end of the day, someone was attacked and that’s a trauma we never want anyone to have to go through; but it’s important to note that help was sent,” Pierce said.
“I fully recognize that situations like these are an incredibly difficult thing to experience and my heart goes out to the young woman and her family during these trying times,” Bello said.
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