Name: Lisa Melita
Victim: Adult, Pet
Location: Corolla, NC. Ocean Sands, North Carolina
Year of attack: 2022

Tell us about the attack

July 4th weekend 2022 at the beach in Corolla, North Carolina. My husband was walking our Maltipoo & Morkie home from a quick walk to the beach. An older woman attempting to walk & control two “rescued” pit bulls was approaching. The pit bulls broke free and one of the pits attacked my Morkie, ripping off his back foot like a glove. The Maltipoo was bitten several times but only puncture wounds. My husband sustained cuts, scrapes, bruises trying to keep the attacking pit bull from doing more damage. The owner just stood there… literally just stood there. Dozens of witnesses. Police report. She later admitted this had also happened the year before at the beach. Another small dog was seriously injured by the same pit bull. My Morkie is slowly recovering. Twice a week trips to the doctor (2 hrs away), 2 surgeries.

How has your life changed as a result of the attack?
I am reluctant to walk my dogs away from my own neighborhood now. Just seeing a pit bull sickens me. I have nightmares about the attack. My Morkie may never run, play, hike and jump again like he loved to do. But, he is alive. Traumatized, but alive. My husband is almost completely healed from his injuries.

Legal Consequences
A report was filed. Charges will be filed (although it was an out of state visitor) once I make sure all of the major medical bills are covered by the pit bull’s owner. She has been covering the medical and travel expenses for both pets. My goal is to make sure the pit bull is euthanized.

What would you like people to know as a result of your attack?
This attack could have been prevented if the owner had not been negligent and ignorant. She was not capable of controlling the pit bulls. She really had no business being allowed to “rescue” the dogs since she could not control them. Literally just standing there while her pit bull mauled my dogs. No effort to de-escalate the situation. No attempt to help. She was negligent bringing a known aggressive animal to the beach on her vacation… again. There were so many children and pets out that weekend and this could have been worse. She is literally out there walking a ticking time bomb.