Tag Archives: Pennsylvania

City park

Pit bull on flimsy retractable leash launches unprovoked attack in city park

Name: Christopher
Victim: Pet
Location: Walking in city park, Pennsylvania
Year of attack: 2022

Tell us about the attack

I was walking my pharaoh hound at Schiavoni Park in Hummelstown, PA when passing a couple with two leashed pit bulls. One of the pit bulls charged unexpectedly with no provocation and because the owner just had her pits on flimsy retractable leashes, she instantly lost control of it. It bit and tore my dog’s back leg which required surgery. I was very lucky that I wasn’t injured as well.

The owner tells me it was an accident and her pit isn’t dangerous. I said I beg to differ since your dog just attacked mine out of the blue for no reason.

How has your life changed as a result of the attack?
It’s a recent event so I’m sure there more issues to come for me and my dog.

Legal Consequences
In process.

The lack of protection that local and state government provide to the community is deplorable. Everything is down to me to report. There is almost zero help from the authorities.

What would you like people to know as a result of your attack?
The pit bull is a dangerous fighting breed. Yes, other dogs can occasionally though rarely be dangerous, but the proclivity to attack, the frequency and the physical damage that results from a pit bull “bite” is NOT the same as that of normal dogs.

This attack was unprovoked. Make sure you carry a weapon or object to protect yourself because you will be no match for a pit bull otherwise.

The mindless support of the pit bull breed and its aggressive behavior is an abomination.

Labrador retriever

Unleashed pit bull launches unprovoked attack on our lab

Name: Amanda S
Victim: Pet
Location: Cemetery park, Pennsylvania
Year of attack: September 2022

Tell us about the attack

We have a seven-year-old female lab that was attacked by a pit bull mix today on our walk. I did exchange information with the owners but their pit did a number on our lab. There is a police report filed. The lab was on a leash and the attacking pit bull was not and ran at our lab and proceeded to attack it with multiple bites. The lab ended up with bad bites to her elbow and snout. Unknown to us once it was examined at the vet she actually had one of her K9 teeth ripped out. Are there any resources available to bring this crime to light? I have sent photos of these horrible scene to you in Facebook messenger.

How has your life changed as a result of the attack?
I’m afraid to leave my house and walk my dog. Not to mention the PTSD I and my poor dog have.

Legal Consequences
Police report filed

What would you like people to know as a result of your attack?
Pit bulls are dangerous!

Pit bull on leash

Attacked by neighbor’s pit bull

Name: Stacy B.
Victim: Adult
Location: Walking on street in front of pit bull owner’s home, Pennsylvania
Year of attack: 2021

Tell us about the attack

On March 2nd 2021 I was walking down the street. My neighbor was out walking his pit bull on a retractable leash. He had stopped to talk to our other neighbor. I stood far back because he had the leash all the way out. Instead of him trying to retract the leash he gathered it all in his hands. I had just proceeded to start going by, when he lost control. I turned to run and the dog mauled me from behind. I went to ER initially then to my primary care physician and then to a wound clinic for two months.

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

The pit bull has since and previously attacked 4 other people.  The dog enforcement officer says she can’t do anything about the pit bull unless the other victims file a complaint as well. So I guess we just have to live in fear until the pit bull actually fatally mauls someone.

I live in fear every day. I fear for the safety of my family and grandchildren. I can no longer walk through town. I do not feel safe. I can’t be around large dogs. I carry mace with me everywhere I go now.

I’m in counseling for PTSD and recently started nerve damage therapy.

Legal Consequences
The pit bull owners were not even fined even though they knew from previous attacks that the pit bull was vicious.

I have been fighting with the insurance company for over a year. The people that own the pit bull did not own the home at the time and the insurance company of the original home owner says they are not responsible for the tenant’s pit bull. We are still fighting it and going into litigation now.

What would you like people to know as a result of your attack?
Be cautious around pit bulls. I know most attacks happen unprovoked but still be vigilant. Be aware of your surroundings. Don’t let the pit bull owners make you feel bad or bully you.

Dog wardens too often decide how they will interpret laws rather than enforcing them as they are written, and consequently often the victims of dog attacks get dismissed.

Stand strong. Keep records of everything. Contact your state representative. Dog laws in Pennsylvania need to be changed drastically!

Leg in cast

Pit bull victim’s experiences dismissed

Name: RB
Victim: Adult, Pet
Location: Walking my own dog, Pennsylvania
Year of attack: 2018

Tell us about the attack

The first pit bull attack happened in 2018. I was walking my dog, a small Italian greyhound mix, when I see a large pit bull charging us. It had no collar, and my dog retreated to behind me. I screamed for help, but no one was around. Only having one hand free, and panicking, I continually used my foot to push the pit bull away by its chest. Even then, my inner dog lover wasn’t ready to hurt the pit bull. It kept returning and biting my legs while trying to get at my dog. After 5 minutes, it gave up, and trotted off.

The second incident, in 2022, was largely the same. This time, however, the pit bull had a collar. Unfortunately during the struggle of lifting my harnessed dog (like a terrifying piñata), I wasn’t able to read the collar. The pit bull managed to bit my hand, but not my dog. Again, this one ran off.

How has your life changed as a result of the attack?
I have developed PTSD from these incidents, and often relive the dread and panic of the events. I discuss it regularly with my therapist and practice coping mechanisms for when I even just *see* a pit bull breed on walks with my small dog. I constantly look over my shoulder even at a distance from others walking their pit bulls. If they got loose, that distance means very little. I face constant shame and minimization when discussing the events and my struggles with others, thus hurting the healing process. My fears are mostly centered around the possible injury or death of my own dog. It’s terrifying to think that I would put my life in danger to save my dog, but I would, as only I could possibly prevent her death. My living in fear has improved, but I am a long way from being “healed”.

Legal Consequences
None, both pit bulls were reputedly “unidentified” strays, and I never heard anything regarding their capture after reporting the attacks to the police.

What would you like people to know as a result of your attack?
Your instincts in moments of being charged aren’t often correct. I should have been more aggressive with subduing the dogs instead of hoping that they would tire and move on by using stalling tactics. I underestimated the threat involved and only got lucky that both incidents only involved minor injuries to myself.

Laneway

Senior lab attacked from out of nowhere by pit bull

Name: Kate Kean
Victim: Adult, Pet
Location: Alley by my house, Pennsylvania
Year of attack: 2019

Tell us about the attack

It was Saturday and I was walking my 15-year-old lab mix, Boo, in an alley by my house. With no warning, a medium-sized pit bull attacked us. I immediately lay down on top of my dog like a human shield. The pit bull was still trying to get to Boo’s neck so I shoved both my hands in the pit bull’s mouth. I was screaming for help. Neighbors did come but no one could get the pit bull off of us. Someone had just mentioned getting his gun when the owner came. He started swinging a board at the pit bull to break the hold. I got hit in the process. When the police arrived they watched over Boo while I ran back for my keys. We rushed to the vets first. Boo only suffered a scratched ear. I almost lost my thumb.

All I know is that I wasn’t going to watch my beloved Boo be murdered in front of me and I’m thankful we both survived.

And since the owner “claimed” the pit bull was a stray and didn’t have records, I had to get rabies shots as well. The police refused to follow up. Later I found out that a neighbor’s ring camera recorded the attack. They were afraid of what the pit bull owner would do so they didn’t take it to the police.

How has your life changed as a result of the attack?
I’m always afraid now when walking my dogs. I carry a bat. It took me over a year to even walk around my neighborhood. I was putting the dogs in the car and driving them to safer areas to walk. Both dogs now wear studded collars.

Legal Consequences
None. The police did nothing. The neighbor with the video footage was afraid to do anything. And last I heard “Katie” (the “stray” pit bull’s name) is still there. The owner has three pit bulls in total. He keeps them locked in the basement. He’s possibly fighting them. The next attack might have a darker outcome. A child could be involved.

What would you like people to know as a result of your attack?
Always expect the unexpected. Be aware of your surroundings. Carry some sort of protection. Keep in mind pit bulls have a high pain tolerance so a weapon is no guarantee.

I’m still a huge dog lover. People not so much.

Image of pit bull

Rescue pit bull attacked without warning

Name: Dianne Keith
Victim: Adult
Location: In my home, Pennsylvania
Year of attack: 2021

Tell us about the attack

In May of last year, 2020, my son’s girlfriend adopted a rescue pit bull mix from Centre County PAWS animal shelter in State College, Pennsylvania. She just loved and spoiled this dog and had even taken him for ice cream the day before the attack.

It was a normal morning on April 11th, 2021. The pit bull was sitting on the living room couch when my son went to start to make breakfast in the kitchen. Suddenly, the pit bull jumped off the couch and went into a full on attack on my son. When his girlfriend ran in to get the pit bull off him, it turned on her. The attack continued. She got away outside and the pit bull got out of the door and continued to attack her again outside. My son ran out after her; the pit bull turned on him again. He managed to drag the pit bull still latched to him into his garage where he had to beat him off of him to let him go. The pit bull has been euthanized.

How has your life changed as a result of the attack?
They are traumatized and she has PTSD over it. My son received 38 stitches in both forearms and she received 43 in both upper arms and hands and back. They are both currently unable to work.

Legal Consequences
There are no legal issues as this was their own pet that turned on them. They were taken to hospital by ambulance, and the state troopers attended the scene,  but we found out later that it was never reported as a dog attack, and we don’t know why. Not one agency in this state of Pennsylvania would help us get the dog out of there and they told us it was our problem and their hands were tied????

What would you like people to know as a result of your attack?
Pit bulls should be outlawed and not allowed to be bred. This breed needs to be extinguished at all costs. These animals can not be trusted no matter how nice you think they are. This was a completely unprovoked attack on its owners who gave him the world. There is no warning, no growls, or barks. You won’t even see it coming. To any family with small children, don’t be ignorant! It could cost you your child’s life or your own. “Is it worth it”?

 

Small terrier attacked by pit bull, 2020.

Small terrier attacked by pit bull, Pennsylvania

Name: Phil
Victim: Pet
Location: Public park (not dog park), Pennsylvania
Year of attack: 2020

Tell us about the attack

I was walking my dog at approximately 9 p.m. in a grassy area across the street from my house. All of a sudden I saw a loose pit bull running across the street. The pit bull was laser focused on my small dog and grabbed its abdomen and started shaking and biting it as if it was prey. The (I later learned) foster person ran over and helped remove the pit bull. My dog barely survived after emergency surgery. I found out the pit bull was known to be dog aggressive, but despite that was still placed in a foster home in a dense, urban area without fenced back yards and with many dogs the pit bull would need to be walked around. The shelter called us once they got our number and wanted me to convince the foster to still adopt the pit bull. Instead, I asked that the pit bull be put down, but was rebuffed by the shelter and vet as if I was crazy.

How has your life changed as a result of the attack?
I have been completely traumatized and extremely disturbed to see the increase in aggressive and untrained pit bulls in our neighborhood. I think it is the combination of people wanting to adopt dogs during COVID-19, and shelters only having pit bulls available because they are so over represented in shelters. I have also become an advocate for dangerous dog and pit bull bans. I also think that zero mistake dogs should be put down after their first near fatal or fatal attack.

Legal Consequences
I do not think the foster adopted this pit bull. I assume the shelter adopted it out to someone else.

What would you like people to know as a result of your attack?
I would like people to realize pit bulls are not pets and should not be adopted. They should all be spayed and neutered and live out their lives in controlled environments, such as animal shelters.

Animal rescue workers lies about pit bull endangered lives

Animal rescue workers lies about pit bull endangered lives

Name: K.R.
Victim: Pet
Location: Walking on a street, Pennsylvania
Year of attack: 2020

Tell us about the attack
Two weeks ago my 11-year-old daughter was walking our 18 lb dog on a leash. A neighbor’s newly acquired female pit bull mix jumped a 4 foot fence and viciously mauled my dog. My daughter tried in vain to punch the pit’s head and grabbed her to release my dog’s head out of her tightly-closed jaws. My daughter’s screams alerted neighbors. Grown men couldn’t get the pit off my dog. One brave neighbor scooped up my dog when she dropped him, poised to attack again. My dog was fortunate to survive. The owner of the pit bull was a 73-year-old man living with his ill 93-year-old mother. The dog was a foster placed with them by animal rescue workers.

How has your life changed as a result of the attack?
Our family has been traumatized. My poor daughter will remember this violent attack for the rest of her life. Our neighbors who witnessed the attack said it was horrifying and were quite traumatized. She is scared to walk our dog by herself. Frankly, we are nervous, too.

Legal Consequences
The pit bull, marketed by the shelter as great with kids and other animals, was returned immediately. Two weeks after the attack, this pit was advertised on the shelter’s website as an “adoptable, adorable, sweet doll.” We cannot, in good conscience, allow this pit bull to be adopted by an unsuspecting family.

What would you like people to know as a result of your attack?
Shelters lie. Shelters continually misrepresent dangerous dogs.

Pit bull owner lies to try to save pit bull that mauled girl

Pit bull owner lies to try to save pit bull that mauled girl

Name: Janet, Jaelynn’s Mother
Victim: Child
Location: At a friend’s house, Pennsylvania
Year of attack: July 3rd, 2019

Tell us about the attack
On July 3rd, 2019 around 7:30 pm, I went with two of my children to visit someone who had been a good friend of our family for 9 years. I did tell my friend that I was going to pass by her house. Upon arrival, she was in the backyard, and she called me & my girls to the back. Never once did she warn me about her daughter’s pit bull being at the house nor that it had aggression towards kids. My daughter asked to use the bathroom. She walked in before me, the pit bull jumped on her, knocked her down, ripped off a chunk of her eyebrow & eyelid, caused lacerations on her cheek & face, bit her shoulder, ribs, hips & thighs.

How has your life changed as a result of the attack?
Nightmares about the incident are constant for both me & my daughter. She has to go to PTSD therapy to help her cope with the horror she lived. We now walk with a pocket knife and she says she hates pit bulls for biting her & causing so many scars on her face and body! We never leave the house without protection in case anything happens.

Legal Consequences
The pit bull owner was fined for harboring a dangerous animal, no shots, no license  and no registration under Pennsylvania laws.

The pit bull owner fought the authorities to try to save the pit bull from euthanization. In court, the pit bull owner even said that I had inflicted the wounds on my own  daughter and that her pit bull never touched her.

The pit bull owner tried to relocate the pit bull to a different state because “the incident wasn’t its fault.” It was finally put down 4 months later.

A law suit against the homeowner’s insurance is in the works.

What would you like people to know as a result of your attack?
Never trust a pit bull, any pit bull. Pit bulls are not pets. They will attack unprovoked at any given time. Practice a way to defend yourself, family & pets, from a pit bull attack as well as teaching your family when walking outdoors. Always keep a weapon on you!

Pit bull attacks two dogs within four months on Pittsburgh street

Pit bull attacks two dogs within four months on Pittsburgh street

Name: M. Todd Rice
Victim: Pet
Location: Street, walking leashed dog, Pennsylvania
Year of attack: Saturday, July 11, 2020

Tell us about the attack
There is a dangerous, unprovoked, repeat-offender, pit bull terrier in our neighborhood that attacked my dogs on our walk on Saturday, July 11, 2020, on our street, at approximately 08:55 hrs. She mauled one of my dogs, Ayva, who sustained multiple bites to the chest, shoulder and leg, which required emergency treatment. A thoracic x-ray which noted air tracking along the chest wall with veterinary concern for tracheal puncture, anesthesia, wound washouts, an indwelling chest wall drain and multiple sutures to the thoracic laceration, and a prescribed two week course of antibiotics with pain medications. This same pit bull had previously attacked our neighbor’s lab mix, Fleurey, on their walk on March 1, 2020. She died of wound complications. Police reports were made. We’re trying to get PA’s dangerous dog law applied.

How has your life changed as a result of the attack?
Many of us in the neighborhood go out of our way to not walk our dogs or exercise in that part of the street. I have started a website to document this case: https://dangerousdoginpennhills.com/

Legal Consequences
In our neighbor’s attack in March, 2020, a police report was made. The pit bull owners were fined for violations of pet licensing and vaccinations. However, no action was taken regarding protecting the public from the aggressive animal or enforcing any type of owner responsibility for containment. Subsequently, local dog control has initiated charges in Wilkinsburg magisterial district court to attempt to apply the dangerous dog law and the restrictions and remedies that entails.

In my case, police made a report, but no action was taken against the owners of the pit bull in this second attack within 4 months. I have been talking with local dog control who is filing charges in my district’s magisterial court.

What would you like people to know as a result of your attack?
We residents need to be aware of dog threats in our areas. If we witness loose and aggressive behaviors, these need to be documented and reported in order to contain these animals before a trauma occurs. In the event that these activities have not been documented, when an attack occurs, the police, dog control and courts have no established basis to suspect patterns of problems and therefore little legal recourse to deal with the animal or its owners. In our case, a dog had died in recent months after this pit bull’s earlier attack. No neighbors had previously reported the pit bull being out and aggressive, which it had been on multiple occasions. As a result, no swift action has been taken, leaving the pit bull and its owner to be risks for others, like my own dog who was attacked by it on July 11.