Name: Joan
Victim: Pet
Location: At townhouse development, Alberta
Year of attack: 2020

Tell us about the attack

We were walking to our townhouse with Simba, our 7-year-old cockapoo, when suddenly a door across the street opened and 2 dogs ran out. One was a pit bull and he attacked Simba which was totally unprovoked. My husband kicked the pit bull off Simba and picked up Simba. Then the pit bull attacked again and was hanging on Simba who was in Al’s arms. A neighbour came and kicked the dog off Simba with his cowboy boots. Simba was lucky in that he had 2 puncture wounds which required oral antibiotics. He then developed a seroma ( a fluid filled sack) which was close to one of the wounds. He required more antibiotics to be sure the seroma didn’t develop into an abscess.

How has your life changed as a result of the attack?
We are now always quite wary around any pit bulls.

Legal Consequences
The owner was not even fined, just told to keep the pit bull on a leash and that his 10 year old son was not allowed to walk the dog.

What would you like people to know as a result of your attack?
Just that the pit bull attack was totally unprovoked

Name: S. B.
Victim: Adult
Location: Jogging, Alberta
Year of attack: 2014

Tell us about the attack

On April 30, 2014, I was out for a jog in my neighborhood. A pit bull got loose, bit my arm multiple times, tearing tendons and shredding flesh. A neighbor had to save me by scooping me up and running inside their home. Had he not done so, I could have died. The owner of the pit bull just stood and watched, too afraid to intervene. I had stitches and was unable to use my arm at all for more than a week.

How has your life changed as a result of the attack?
Before the attack, I might have been inclined to believe marketing meant to paint pit bulls in a positive light, and that they are just misunderstood, sweet dogs. After what could have easily been my death however, my mind has changed. I am afraid of them, and with good reason. I now pay attention to other pit bull attacks, and it is overwhelmingly apparent that these types of animals are a public safety risk.

Legal Consequences
I hired an injury lawyer who was able to reach a settlement through the pit bull owner’s home insurance. The pit bull was euthanized.

What would you like people to know as a result of your attack?
Pit bulls are a public safety risk, and although there may be some who go through life never harming anyone, even one attack is not worth the risk. My life is more important than your desire to own a certain breed of dog. I have the right to feel safe walking down the street in my own neighborhood. If this were a defect in the manufacturing of a car, every single vehicle would be recalled, because we understand that if it happens once, that is one time too many. Why can we not apply the same logic to dog breeds?