Tag Archives: Indiana

Princess, one of the dogs who was killed by pit bulls

Pit bulls break into house, slaughter dogs in their own home

Name: Sara S.
Victim: Pet
Location: In the home in Indiana
Year of attack: December 2020

Tell us about the attack

Saturday morning I got the most heart-wrenching call from my mom. She was screaming and crying, all she could get out was a mumbled sentence, something along the lines of “I just wanted to let you know those pit bulls broke into the house, I think Douglas, Princess (her dogs), and Tanner (her cat) are dead”.

Three pit bulls that lived down the street had came onto her property and INSIDE her home while she was not home. She came home to a BLOODY MESS and her house was so tore up. The pictures are seriously gut-wrenching, blood smeared all over furniture and walls and carpet and a few things even broken. She came eye-to-eye with the three pit bulls standing inside her own home and just could see blood everywhere and didn’t know what to do or think. She dropped the groceries she was carrying and ran back to her car and called my aunt and uncle to come over because she was so scared.

They found her two dogs Douglas and Princess hiding in the bathroom and thought Douglas was already dead because he looked so tore up but shortly after I got a call saying he was still alive and they were headed to Blue Pearl Pet Hospital with them.

Unfortunately Douglas had to be put to sleep upon arrival as he suffered from a potential broken shoulder, back, and neck PLUS all of the bite wounds. He was suffering too much.

Douglas, one of the dogs who was killed in their own home by pit bulls who broke in.

Douglas, one of the dogs who was killed in their own home by pit bulls who broke in. Used with permission.

We thought Princess was going to be alright, but they soon realized the bite wounds were worse than they initially thought. The vet said the bite on her neck was the worst she’s ever seen. They thought her canine tooth was missing but turns out it was lodged into her nasal cavity from trying to fight for their lives so hard. They got her all stitched up and she was swollen all over, but her oxygen levels were dropping over night so this morning she was unfortunately put to sleep as well.

Princess, one of the dogs who was killed in their own home by pit bulls who broke in.

Princess, one of the dogs who was killed in their own home by pit bulls who broke in. Used with permission.

Tanner the cat ended up showing back up. We believe he hid under the dresser and the pit bulls were too distracted by Douglas and Princess to notice him.

How has your life changed as a result of the attack?

Tanner is definitely traumatized.  He constantly watches the door to see if those pit bulls are coming back. If he hears ANY noise, he runs and hides.

Both Douglas and Princess were loved by so many people. Princess was technically my brother’s family dog. When they moved here from Florida my mom kept her for them until they got a home suitable for her. My nieces weren’t ready to lose their dog before they even got to bring her home with them again.

Douglas was our family dog growing up, when my parents split he lived with my dad and would follow him out to the garage 24/7 and come home covered in grease. That was his baby. My dad is no longer alive and Douglas was one of our last connections with him. ☹️ After he passed Doug moved back in with my mom, and spent the rest of his life there. I’ll miss my yappy pup so very much.

Legal Consequences

I’m not sure what is happening with the pit bulls yet, but I promise you my family will get justice for these babies. This is not the first incident with these pit bulls around our neighborhood.

Ambulance

I was severely mauled by my daughter’s pit bull

Name: A Weisel
Victim: Adult
Location: Apartment, Indiana
Year of attack: 2021

Tell us about the attack

I went to my daughter’s apartment to take the her 90 lb. (40 kg) pit bull out and give it food/water for the third time that day. Everything had been fine, I checked everything, gave him a treat, kissed the top of his head and told him he was being a good boy.

I then turned on the light, and squatted next to him in the hall to straighten the rug. Without a sign or noise, he lunged for my right arm and ripped it down to the bone. I nearly passed out and was sitting down with my legs out when I realized he wasn’t going to stop. I took a deep breath and decided that since I was right handed that I’d hold out my left arm. I knew since I was on the floor and he was blocking the door that it was my only chance at surviving. He snapped it in one bite and continued tugging and thrashing even after I made it to my feet.

The near 30 minute ordeal was heard long before help came. The neighbor that called was apparently upset by the noise and called in a noise complaint. So when police arrived, there was no ambulance with them. The three officers carried me down three flights of stairs and sat me on the ground outside to wait. I was sat up with one of the officer’s knee at my back for support. I recall them making statements about my blood on them. I felt the need to assure them that I didn’t have any disease. They asked questions; I answered all of them clearly. When the ambulance arrived, they gave me narcan despite my yelling and declaring I wasn’t on drugs, to just please help. I then heard them call for fentanyl, to which I also exclaimed that I didn’t want or need it. They didn’t listen and they didn’t care.

How has your life changed as a result of the attack?
I have lost some use of my right hand and arm. My left hand and part of my arm have been amputated. I have had six surgeries and I believe that I’ve reached maximum improvement. The doctors attempted to reattach my left hand by way of donor vessels from my left leg but it didn’t work. I got a DVT in my groin not long after leaving the hospital so now I’ll be on blood thinners for life. I don’t leave the house very often. I’m ashamed of my appearance. Of all the people that were supportive and caring in the first month after I was released from the hospital, there’s no one left but my husband. I have not seen anyone for my mental health because I don’t want medication and I fear the stigma attached to mental illnesses.

Legal Consequences
The pit bull was collected by animal control and euthanized.

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

None of my story has been heard until now. No one seemed to care.

 

Pit bull

Random vicious pit bull attack

Name: D. Mindach
Victim: Adult, Pet
Location: Alley behind house, Indiana
Year of attack: 2022

Tell us about the attack

On April 12, 2022 at 12:35pm a 90 lb (40 kg) black and white pit bull attacked me without provocation or warning.

My German Shepherd stepped in to protect me and soon the blood was everywhere. I was bitten on both knees, and my Shepherd was held in a death grip by the pit bull.  The attack went on for some time despite two construction workers (who had come to help rescue us) beating the pit bull with 2x4s and my dog’s return bites. This pit bull was out to kill us both! It would not release my dog. The attack only ended when I picked up the pit bull by his docked tail and swung him as far as I could.

Indianapolis IMPD was called to take a report. They took 2 hours to respond.

Now, 2 months later, the pit bull is still at large. My dog and I are still recovering with both scars and limps.

How has your life changed as a result of the attack?
I now carry a 1/2 x 2 foot metal rod on our walks, and a powerful stun-gun. I realize that police are not going to protect people, only take reports.

Legal Consequences
The excessively large pit bull was never found, though I believe I know where he lives. This is one pit bull of many there. I have come to believe these people breed to fight professionally.

IMPD does not investigate…

What would you like people to know as a result of your attack?
Pit bulls are bred to fight and they will kill if they get loose, without any warning.

I have seen several mauled and dead pit bulls thrown in dumpsters after organized dog fights in my East Side Indianapolis Neighborhood.

Pit bull

Owner of vicious pit bull takes revenge for reporting animal

Name: NTR3
Victim: Adult
Location: Apartment complex, Indiana
Year of attack: 2021

Tell us about the attack

In August 2021, I went to pet an apartment neighbor’s pit bull, and the dog lunged at me and ripped my clothes in half. The attack also left a small bite mark, and the owner asked to make sure I was not hurt. I told her I was not… but I was shaken, and would have been seriously injured had I reacted a split-second slower.

The apartment staff, when notified, gave written notice that the animal must be removed. But they then gave several wink-nod extensions of the removal deadline, of which I was only told when I continued to see the animal around and followed up. Once the “final” deadline had passed, I saw the animal again, took photos, and emailed to the building management.

Twenty minutes after taking the photos, I was assaulted in my apartment parking lot by the alleged father of the pit bull owner, causing several head contusions.

How has your life changed as a result of the attack?
The alleged father (i.e. the assailant) was masked, and thus local law enforcement never followed up with the pit bull owner, argument being that mask = can’t identify in a lineup.

The black-and-blue marks covered my face and took three weeks to heal. I incurred $4,000 in medical expenses from the attack. Attorneys informed me that the apartment management did just enough to cover itself to make civil damages an iffy proposition.

I have since relocated to a different city in Indiana.

Legal Consequences
The pit bull owner was told to leave the apartment premises, and I was released from my lease without the contractual buyout fee. But to the best of my knowledge, nothing ever happened to the pit bull, and the apartment refused to cover my medical expenses despite their negligence.

What would you like people to know as a result of your attack?
Document everything… no matter how small. The wink-nod extensions of the deadline for the animal’s removal were conveyed to me over the phone, and only when I followed up. I did not record nor take detailed notes on those conversations after they happened. Doing so may have strengthened my legal case for a meaningful negligence lawsuit against the apartment.

Scottie dog

Pit bull viciously attacked our Scottie terrier

Name: Griff
Victim: Pet
Location: Walking on street in our neighborhood, Indiana
Year of attack: 2021

Tell us about the attack

Last week, March 2, 2021, at approximately between 16:00 & 16:30 our Scottie Terrier “Willie” was viciously attacked by an unleashed pit bull when a white male 30-40 yrs of age with long dark brown beard & shoulder length hair, dressed only in boxer shorts, opened the front door of the residence which he & two other men rent from its owner. The pit bull ran out of the house and immediately attacked Willie, first grabbing his neck. We wrestled the pit bull. It let go, then viciously bit Willies’ back causing two severe bites. We finally got our dog free. By the grace of God neither my wife or I were bitten. The man did not try to help us. Instead he monologued, “its not my dog”…”I don’t know who it belongs to”. We rushed Willie to immediately to our vet. He suffered deep puncture wounds and ripped tissue. Vet bill $650.

How has your life changed as a result of the attack?
First we are no longer tolerant or sympathetic with the pit bull breed. The attack on our dog was deliberate and unprovoked. The pit bull was trying to kill our dog. Know that I’m 68 years old and grew up with dogs, horses & livestock. That pit bull meant to kill our dog, so now my wife and I carry BEAR SPRAY. Pepper spray is ineffective against pit bulls or any other breed of dog. The advantage of Bear Spray is the range of 30 to 35 feet and its ability to deter a 1500 lb Grizzly. Added to it is our Conceal/Carry permits and a Platinum membership with USCCA. We will not hesitate to spray and or shoot if necessary if we are ever attacked again. Again we are no longer tolerant of pit bulls or their owners or the fairy tales spread about the breed being “sweet” or “harmless”.

Legal Consequences
The home owner, owner of the pit bull and the man who released the dog have all been cited by our city animal control officers, who are in fact police officers. A police report has been filed and we will pursue all those responsible for the attack in civil court for our vet bill and damages.

What would you like people to know as a result of your attack?
Please arm yourselves with Bear Spray 9.2 ounce cans. Most come with holsters for your belt. Also recommend carrying a good sized knife such as a K Bar or other 6″ blade. If practical get a Conceal/Carry gun permit & a membership with USCCA. [Editor: Check with local authorities on the legalities for the jurisdiction you live in]. Make sure your pet is on a leash. Stay on the street that is city property. Check with new home owners or renters for new pets in the neighborhood. We had walked past the house many, many times over the years and had never seen any dogs. We had learned that recently three men had rented the home, but we had no idea they had a pit bull. If you are attacked by a pit bull or any other dog be sure call 911, or call to file a Police Report. In our city the Police notify Animal Control for you. Important.