Sister of KC man killed by pack of dogs speaks out

For years, Chris Culbertson had a dog by his side, ever since he was a little boy.

He started with Dobermans, then Rottweilers and American Pit Bulls. Everywhere he went, he brought his dog with him — which is part of why it was so heartbreaking for his sister, Angela Culbertson, to watch him die after being attacked by seven pit bulls nearly two weeks ago.

“I wouldn’t wish this on anyone,” Angela Culbertson said. “The tears, buildup (of blood) and bites my brother suffered were horrific. “

Chris Culbertson, 46, had just started his one-mile bike ride home from a friend’s house on Saturday, Nov. 2, when he was attacked in the 3200 block of East 80th Street in Kansas City by a pack of dogs. He said his sister at the hospital that he first tried to calm the dogs and show that he was not a threat. She later learned that police had already received more than a dozen complaints about the dogs, but no action had been taken by the city’s animal control services, run by KC Pet Project.

“(He) didn’t taunt them, didn’t do anything. They just came to him. He didn’t do anything to them. It’s all on the video,” she said.

For 23 minutes, Chris Culbertson was attacked in the street while screaming for help. A neighbor went out with a golf club hoping to scare the dogs, but they turned on her and she was seriously injured, according to previous reports.

Angela Culbertson, 43, later saw security footage of a neighbor’s attack. She said there were two other pit bulls in the yard that couldn’t get out of the fence, so the other seven dragged him toward the fence.

“It’s sickening,” she said.

Police and emergency professionals were eventually able to keep the dogs away from Chris Culbertson long enough for a medical professional to get him to safety.

At the hospital, he received more than 500 stitches. Her cheeks and chin were torn, and her heels and one toe were almost torn from her feet. If he had not died on November 6, he would have had to have his right hand and left leg amputated, live on dialysis and have a tracheotomy for the rest of his life.

“Even if he succeeded with that percentage so low, it wouldn’t be the life he wanted,” Angela Culbertson said.

“I can’t get it out of my head.”

In life, she said her brother loved the outdoors, building things and, of course, his dogs.

She remembers that he started building when he was 9 years old. He built them a treehouse in the woods and made a swing out of a long board and rope.

“We would tell Grandma we were going to bed, but we would go into the garden and swing and look at the stars and make up our lives with each other. You know, how all kids do it,” she said.

Academically, Chris Culbertson was naturally gifted and when he grew up, he followed his love of building and became a carpenter.

He had his demons, however, she said, battling drug addiction for years, which put a strain on their relationship. But they still had each other’s backs, which is why Angela Culbertson ran to the hospital when he called.

“I can’t get it out of my head,” she said, sobbing.

“I was just touching him, and his body was so swollen and his hands started turning black and his feet started turning black because he had blood clots and no circulation. …THis machine was moving his chest up and down, and I just put my hand on his chest.

Previous complaints, lack of action

Kansas City police said in an official statement that the case is ongoing and a closed case, referring to the Missouri Sunshine Law.

According to Angela Culbertson, KC Pet Project – a local no-kill shelter and Kansas City Animal Control – responded to the scene with authorities and returned the dogs to the owners’ yard.

The next day, authorities returned with an arrest warrant and all but two of the dogs were missing, including 15 puppies inside.

She also said she learned from police that more than 15 complaints had been made about the dogs and that some officers were frustrated that they did not have the authority to take action and instead had to refer the complaints to the KC Pet Project.

KC Pet Project did not respond to The Star’s request for comment.

Spokeswoman Tori Fugate previously said their animal services division is communicating with officials and assisting with the investigation.

Angela Culbertson said she is looking for answers and hopes to hold dog owners accountable for her brother’s death. A loving owner of a pit bull herself, she said, to her knowledge, the dogs in this case were bred to fight and would have inevitably led to violence. If it hadn’t been for her brother, it would have been someone else, she believes.

“I know this won’t bring my brother back, but I don’t want this to happen to anyone else without repercussions.” I want this to be a lesson to all dog owners: You have to take care of your dogs, do what you’re supposed to do and have as many as you’re supposed to have,” she said.

About 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year in the United States, according to the American Veterinary Association. About 30 to 50 of these stings turn into fatal attacks each year, according to the National Library of Medicine.