Tag Archives: California

Suburban neighborhood

Neighbor’s pit bulls attack my dog outside his own house with no rhyme or reason

Name: MS
Victim: Pet
Location: Near a school, California
Year of attack: 2018

Tell us about the attack

My neighbors have two pit bulls and late one night as I was walking a visiting friend out to their car, my sweet dog Carmi, followed me. The neighbor was walking his two pit bulls on leashes. As they walked near, Carmi went up to them wagging her tail. Within seconds and without warning or provocation, the pit bulls pinned her down and started biting her neck. One began thrashing and shaking her neck and throat as the other pit bull bit her chest and legs. After much struggle, the owner finally was able to pull his pit bulls away, though he was bitten on his hand and arm by his own pits.

At first Carmi’s injuries did not seem life threatening, but the vet said the dogs shook her skin off the muscle and that she needed immediate surgery. Carmi survived but became a timid dog after that attack. That attack changed her.

How has your life changed as a result of the attack?
The neighbors still have their pit bulls. They took them to a training school and bought them shock collars. However, I will never trust those animals again. I would never allow young children to go in my backyard if their pit bulls are out in the neighbor’s yard. The neighbors keep them indoors 90% of the time. When out walking if I see the neighbor and his dogs, I cross the street. I avoid them and keep a wide distance between myself and these pit bulls.

Legal Consequences
I did not report these pits because I did not want conflict with my neighbors and they were apologetic and paid for Carmi’s vet bill. They also took steps to try and tame their pit bulls. Now I wish I had reported them because I still have a level of fear every time I see his pit bulls. I will never trust them, or any pit bulls, no matter how much training I’m told they’ve had.

What would you like people to know as a result of your attack?
I would like California to ban pit bulls or instate a very strict law to protect animals and people from these animals. We should not be left worrying about our safety in our community, neighborhoods and backyard from a pit bull attack.

Pit bull in cage at shelter

Shelter volunteer severely injured by pit bull the shelter had said was not aggressive

Name: One of the scariest days for me…
Victim: Adult
Location: It was at a rescue shelter, that housed strays for other rescues, California
Year of attack: 2019

Tell us about the attack

I walked dogs at a local rescue. A pit bull was being boarded for another shelter. Their volunteers test for aggressiveness. Volunteers are not professionals by any means. They said he wasn’t dog or human aggressive. Unfortunately it was actually very aggressive.

I took the pit bull out. He tried to attack a dog in the next kennel. I still had a hold of the leash. The pit bull was pulling. I let go & fell down. When I did, the the pit ran up on me & started lunging toward my throat. I put my right arm up to protect myself. He bit & shook my arm several times before someone heard me scream. It bit off my entire bicep. Lots of blood. He cut all the nerves in my arm & hand.

Afterward, My arm & hand was paralyzed. I had the strength of a wet noodle.  PT helped me to regain some movement. I’ve healed mentally but the constant pain is unbearable!

How has your life changed as a result of the attack?
I don’t trust any large dogs now. I still sometimes freeze up when I see them. I have #10 level pain 24/7. My activities are limited now. It’s really lowered my quality of life. The limitations are difficult to deal with, as I was very active before.

Legal Consequences
The shelter was not fined. I had to sue them to get my medical bills paid. The pit bull was put down.

The rescue it came from should be shut down.

What would you like people to know as a result of your attack?
If you volunteer at a shelter that boards pit bulls for other rescues , then definitely let a paid staff member walk all of their dogs. When they tell you the pit bull is not aggressive, I would automatically assume the opposite.

Dog park

Dog sitter fights pit bull at dog park to save the dogs in her care

Name: Tracey S.
Victim: Pet
Location: Dog park, California
Year of attack: 2022

Tell us about the attack

I had just put three small dogs that I dog sit for in the dog park and was headed back to my car with one of the three following me. As I opened the dog park gate to exit, an unaccompanied pit bull came out of nowhere, slipped into the park through the partially-open gate, and immediately attacked the small dog (a Yorkie/poodle mix weighing about 20 lb.), seizing it in its maw. Luckily the pit bull had a collar on so I twisted the collar to choke the pit bull as I kicked it in the buttocks repeatedly until it released its victim. I have rheumatoid arthritis and am 64 years old but I fought with everything I had.

I then shoved the pit out the gate using my foot and while still maintaining a chokehold on its throat with the collar I got the gate closed.

I called 911 who refused to send help for me. They put me through to animal control who did not pick up the phone, so I called the non-emergency police phone number several times. But, they also would not help me, saying it was an animal control problem. I was stranded in the dog park for almost two hours, trapped there by the pit bull outside the gate, because police would not come and animal control was busy.

My friends eventually came with a shovel and pepper spray and drove the pit bull away from the gate so I and the three small dogs could get back to my car and my own dog.

How has your life changed as a result of the attack?
I survived and so did the dogs in my care but I am in a lot of pain. I can’t even lift my right arm.

I hope my physical pain goes away eventually because I had too much pain to begin with.

Legal Consequences
Animal control showed up only after my friends rescued me and they took the pit bull into custody. That is all I know, and I only know that because a friend stayed around and helped the animal control officer capture the pit bull and then told me.

We have a huge stray dog problem in this town of Long Beach California and the animal control services are overwhelmed and low staffed since the pandemic.

What would you like people to know as a result of your attack?

Thank God the pit bull had a collar on. I don’t think I would have gotten it to release the small dog if I could not have choked it. People need to carry something for protection against pit bulls, whether a cane or pepper spray or stun gun, etc. And never pick up a small dog when you see a big dog you are afraid of. * I had NOT done that but if I would have it would only have made it worse. Trust me.

Golden lab getting bandage on its leg

Unprovoked attack on lab by neighbor’s pit mix

Name: S
Victim: Pet
Location: Sidewalk, California
Year of attack: 2022

Tell us about the attack

I was walking our lab in the neighborhood and we could see a pit bull mix with its owner in the distance (about 300 feet). Upon seeing us, the pit bull immediately got agitated, barking and almost foaming at the mouth. We made every attempt to go around the pit bull and give him as much distance as we could when we got closer and passed by. The pit bull was in a fit of rage at this point and trying to come off the leash with his lips peeled back and teeth showing. The owner finally couldn’t hold on to the pit bull anymore and he came loose, lunged at our lab and bit into his neck without letting go. It took a few moments to separate them but luckily my lab only had bite marks and no serious wounds. We took him to the vet regardless to get the bite marks investigated and check for infection.

How has your life changed as a result of the attack?
This was on the same street as our house so it’s very discomforting to know that my pet or myself could be viciously attacked so close to our home. The pit bull was in an uncontrollable rage and it was completely unprovoked. I am very concerned about my wife walking the dog on her own now.

Legal Consequences
The pit bull owner paid our vet bill and promised to put a muzzle on the pit bull.

What would you like people to know as a result of your attack?
Stay away from pit bulls without a muzzle: it’s a good sign that the owner does not appreciate the danger of their animal.

Old lab

Old lab attacked twice by neighbor’s pit bull

Name: MK
Victim: Pet
Location: At a house on a defunct horse ranch, California
Year of attack: 2018

Tell us about the attack

A pit bull from an adjoining property attacked my land mate’s lab while it lay on its own porch. The pit bull had to come a fair distance to find the lab to do this! It did minor damage the first time and weeks later came back to attack him a second time to kill him!! My land mate came out of the house and beat the pit off with a tail end of a rifle. There was blood all over the porch walls. The lab was taken to the vet with extensive puncture wounds. The vet said the only thing that saved him was he’s got a big, jowly neck.

How has your life changed as a result of the attack?
Well, the lab is their dog but my “god dog”. I take care of him all the time and love him like my own. It got me reading about pits. That’s how I ran into Kenneth Phillips and then dogsbite.org. Boy, what an eye opener.

The dog lives in the house full time now, ever since the second attack. He preferred being outside but he has adjusted over time.

The owners always carry pepper spray and guns now when they take the dog for a walk on the property.

Legal Consequences
Animal Control was called. They put a food-baited catch-crate in front of the lab’s house, to no avail. Nothing else happened to help from any agency so on my own I found out the name of the owner of the adjoining rental property which had the pit bull. I told him he could be liable for their irresponsible behavior. Also, there were all kinds of nefarious folks coming and going over there so I think the place was already being “watched” by the DEA. Then there was a huge raid and the property owner got rid of everybody there and all the dogs. Thank goodness!! I had stopped walking my own dogs on the ranch because of the various dog packs roving this ranch, spilling over from that place.

What would you like people to know as a result of your attack?
I am an absolute animal lover. I have taken care of other people’s animals and property my whole life. I am even fully aware that it’s possible there are people who may have had a bully-type dog that was never a problem its whole lifespan. Having said all that, there is no safe pit bull because it is never guaranteed, and the devastation and disfigurement and trauma and financial ruin caused by these animals is NOT WORTH THE RISK.

I would like pit lovers to understand that it is possible to love a bully a breed and/or an individual dog of a bully breed. There is nothing wrong with loving them. At the same time one can step back and see what is ACTUALLY GOING ON, and agree to banning and eventual extinction of this dog type.

Pit bull

Friendly-seeming pit bull turns deadly with no warning

Name: Will
Victim: Pet
Location: Hike near Pacifica, California
Year of attack: 2022

Tell us about the attack

My dog and I frequently hike up a trail above Pacifica. Two weeks ago my dog was attacked by an off-leash pit bull that initially appeared friendly. However, instead of playing, without warning the pit bull tried to bite my dog’s ear off. My dog (a 40 pound / 18 kg mixed breed but not a pit bull) started screaming immediately and her ear and perhaps life were only saved by me jumping on the pit bull and throwing him off her.

My dog had to have surgery, wear a cone for weeks and has scars on her ear. The vet said the wounds were very close to an artery and she could have died.

How has your life changed as a result of the attack?
Luckily my dog has largely recovered. She is a bit more wary around dogs but she is lucky to be largely ok. This is the second time she’s been attacked by, of course, pit bulls.

Legal Consequences
Unfortunately I was in a hurry to get my dog to the vet and I could not make sure any justice was done. At a bare minimum that pit bull should never be off leash.

What would you like people to know as a result of your attack?
Pit bulls are very strong dogs and even if they haven’t yet exhibited any aggression (I realize some may appear “sweet”) they’re ultimately just too dangerous to other humans and animals and they should be illegal to breed.

Pit bulls

Don’t worry, my pit bulls are friendly…

Name: Ann Mackenzie
Victim: Adult, Pet
Location: Street near my home, California
Year of attack: 2022

Tell us about the attack

My friend and I were walking our leashed dogs on the street in the first half of 2022. Two large unleased pit bulls came running towards us. The owner called out, “Don’t worry, they are friendly.”

The male pit bull grabbed my friend’s dog and killed him.

Both pit bulls ( male & female) then came towards me, knocked me down and attacked my dog.

My dog never recovered and died 10 days later.

My wrist was fractured and required surgery.

The pit bulls are still home with their owners and their owners have not complied with any requests from animal control. Neither pit bull was spayed or neutered.

How has your life changed as a result of the attack?
I’m still receiving therapy for my wrist.

I no longer feel safe in my own neighborhood and I’m fearful of large dogs especially pits.

Legal Consequences
The pit bull owner appears to still not be in compliance (i.e. fenced yard with signage, spaying & neutering, permit for PDA $500/each, obedience class, licensing & vaccines).

What would you like people to know as a result of your attack?
Do not trust pit bulls.

Westies

Pit bull invades house to kill two dogs inside

Name: M L G
Victim: Adult
Location: Inside home. California
Year of attack: 2017

Tell us about the attack

Jeff was recovering from a major stroke, and had his two little white Westies for his best friends. They were usually together, running alongside each other, full of life and love.

Jeff’s stroke had been so severe that he needed round-the-clock care. But, his caregivers weren’t needed for a couple of hours each week. That was when his ex-wife (but still good friend) would come by and help him with a walker, to get in a car and go to church, and sometimes a meal after.

One day, when he was brought back home after their outing, the first thing that hit him upon entering the house was THE BLOOD, everywhere! And then he and his ex-wife saw pieces of his dogs.

The neighbor’s pit bull had broken through its fence and invaded Jeff’s yard and house to kill the dogs inside.

Yes, the pit bull was euthanized but for a man such as Jeff already in a difficult way health-wise a disaster. Such a shock. And such a setback.

How has your life changed as a result of the attack?
Jeff is my friend, I’m just sharing his story as he isn’t able to.

Legal Consequences
Jeff was too ill to take on much in terms of legal battles. Getting the pit bull euthanized and threatening the neighbor about never having another one was about it.

Man and dog wounded in predatory pit bull attack

Man and dog wounded in predatory pit bull attack

Name: JMS
Victim: Adult
Location: On the street walking my dog, California
Year of attack: 2020

Tell us about the attack
I was walking my 4 year-old female German Shepherd a few houses from being home. I saw a pit bull through a neighbor’s driveway gate looking at me and my dog. A man was walking toward the pass-through gate and I thought, “I hope he can control his pit bull because it looked like it wanted to attack my dog.” Next thing I knew the pit bull was outside the gate attacking my dog and clamping on. I grabbed the pit bull by the tail and pulled as hard as I could. It let go of my dog but turned around and bit me on the leg.

The pit bull owner got control of the pit bull after it bit me, but went back into his yard and never came back to see how I or my dog were doing. I was laying there bleeding, neighbors called 911 and police and fire department came and checked me over.

My dog went to the vet ER, I went to the ER and got my puncture wound treated. My dog has a lacerated leg and I am in pain (this happened 12 hours ago).

How has your life changed as a result of the attack?
Too early to tell the long term effects because the pit bull attack was yesterday evening (12 hours ago). I did not trust pit bulls before, but now, even more, I think that cities should consider outlawing them within city limits and insurance companies should not insure homeowners who have pit bulls. I will always have the puncture scars to remind me of the danger of this type of dog.

Legal Consequences
Where I live Animal Control is very pro-active. The pit bull is already quarantined (10 days) and I will be able to find out whether it was current on rabies shots. I do not want that animal back in my neighborhood again. The pit bull owner will be held liable for the pain, suffering and medical bills caused by his vicious animal. The house where the pit bull was is worth well over a million dollars, so I expect the owner has insurance.

What would you like people to know as a result of your attack?
Do not trust pit bulls. If you know there are pit bulls on the route you are walking, bring along pepper spray or a baseball bat for protection.

Pit bull comes from behind unseen to severely maul dog

Pit bull comes from behind unseen to severely maul dog

Name: Ron Manor
Victim: Pet
Location: Street, California
Year of attack: 2020

Tell us about the attack
We walked around the block with our dog, Boba, on a leash. Suddenly a pit bull came from behind and attacked Boba. The pit bull grabbed Boba in the stomach. It took a few seconds until I was able to kick the pit bull and make it let go of Boba who was bleeding a lot.

Then, I saw the pit bull trying to slink through a broken wooden gate right in front of where attack happened.

We rushed to the closest Vet. Emergency Hospital. After we had been told there was a 75% chance to live, we decided to pay the $9,669.00 estimated hospital bill that the vet wanted from us. I called the local police. They transferred me a few times until I got an Officer at the animal care center. The officer asked me to send him photos and details about the attack. I sent them. He replied once. Now, two days after, I am still waiting. Boba is out of the hospital and getting better.

How has your life changed as a result of the attack?
I always thought pit bulls are a dangerous type of dog. Now I know for sure.

Legal Consequences
Nothing yet

What would you like people to know as a result of your attack?
Pit bulls are an unpredictable type of dog. People should support the ending of breeding these animals.