Tag Archives: Rescue pit bulls

Pit bull pup

Former owner of a lovingly-raised pit bull pup that turned violent says, it’s nothing to do with how you raise them

Name: AN
Victim: Adult
Location: Outside in a business area, Georgia
Year of attack: 2021

Tell us about the attack

We purchased a sweet pit bull puppy from a rescue. The pup had been acquired by the rescue at 5 weeks of age, along with her mom and litter mates, and there was no background of abuse. She was not separated from her mom too young.

At the time, I felt like you had to teach pit bulls to be aggressive and that they weren’t born this way. I’d learned this from pit bull advocacy groups on social media. So we rescued a pit bull wanting to do and show the “right thing”. We raised her lovingly and caringly and gave her the perfect life.

Three years later, she attacked an innocent man for no reason in an unprovoked attack. She lunged at this man and as she did, I slipped in the mud and she got away from me. My dog tore through his shirt and he was left with bruises and an abrasion. Only by the grace of God was he able to fend off the attack. It probably helped that she was only 50 lbs. versus a more typical larger pit bull size. We immediately put her down and agreed to pay for any injuries.

How has your life changed as a result of the attack?
I am now terrified of dog breeds categorized as “aggressive” by most insurance companies. I walk around with pepper spray and a stun baton. If I see one of these dogs I turn and go the other way. I am constantly plagued by worry that I will be attacked. I will never own another rescue dog or support so-called rescue organizations.

Legal Consequences
My pit bull was not reported to animal control because the victim knew us and we proved we put her down. He was only concerned with protecting potential future victims and less concerned about his own injuries.

What would you like people to know as a result of your attack?
You cannot trust pit bulls. There are surely some sweet ones who have never attacked but because they are so capable of causing death or other serious bodily injury should something click, it’s not worth adopting one. And IF you insist on adopting one, you had better make sure your homeowner’s insurance will cover an attack. There are only four insurance companies in the nation that will cover an “aggressive” dog breed. The average cost of a dog bite is $40,000; I think people need to think twice financially before adopting a pit bull or pit mix.

Beach

Repeat-offender rescue pit bull attacks again on beach, owner completely unable to control it

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.

Pit bull

My own support pit bull began attacking me

Name: Eric J.
Victim: Adult, Pet
Location: Across our own apartment building driveway on the grass, still on the property we were supposed to be on. New York State
Year of attack: 2021

Tell us about the attack

In 2019 my therapist at the time said that I fit the criteria for a support animal / dog. On November 16, 2019, I went to the local SPCA and they sold me a Staffordshire pit bull terrier.  This was my very first dog of my very own ever. I named him “Tank”. He was my world.

But the night of December 11, 2021 took everything away from us as we went out on our scheduled routine and we got attacked by 2 loose pit bulls. They were attacking Tank so I’m screaming and yelling help, stop, and as soon as I saw a break in the fighting I quickly scooped Tank up and got us inside the foyer as I sat there holding the door shut because of the weather and those dogs.

I went to get up. Then Tank my own pit bull started attacking me, biting my legs and I’m going, “Tank, what is wrong?” so in my confusion I sat back down and he continued to attack me.

How has your life changed as a result of the attack?
I am devastated because my very first experience with my dog has been ruined and as far as I know those 2 loose pit bulls are still out there on the streets and I can’t trust the breed anymore. And I had to euthanize my own pit bull that I got from the SPCA because of my attack.

Legal Consequences
I have reported it to our local animal control officer and there is a case number and we have video because we were right across from the front door of the other 2 dogs as I scooped up Tank on the video clip. And the police told me that they want to catch the other pit bull owners.

What would you like people to know as a result of your attack?
I’m devastated my life has been turned upside down.

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.

Rescue pit bull attacks with no provocation or warning

Rescue pit bull attacks with no provocation or warning

Name: BK
Victim: Pet
Location: Walking dogs in my neighborhood, Connecticut
Year of attack: 2013

Tell us about the attack
I was walking my two small days on Memorial Day 2013 when two loose pit bull type dogs came running from a backyard. The pit bulls ran across the street and one of them attacked my small dog. I screamed for help while I tried to get my dog loose from the pit bull, but no one came out to assist me. I was able to free my small dog and lifted her above my head, but the pit bull grabbed her by the legs to continue mauling her. After several minutes, the pit bull owner came running from his backyard and was able to call off his dog. He put his dog in his parked car and asked if my dog and I were okay. He must not have securely latched his car door because the pit bull pushed out and came back to grab my injured small dog. The pit bull owner again put his pit bull in the car and securely closed the door.

How has your life changed as a result of the attack?
I was fortunate that my small dog recovered and my injuries were minor. I had been wary of pit bulls, but I had no idea of how often and how severely they attack. I was not aware of how inadequate our laws are for victims of dog attacks. I was astounded that no action was taken against the pit bull owner and that neither the police nor Animal Control seemed to consider the attack a public safety issue. I was outraged by the lack of concern expressed by every public official I contacted. As a result of this attack, I became very active as an advocate for victims of dog attacks.

Legal Consequences
The police did not charge the pit bull owner with roaming. Animal control did not impound the pit bull. The pit bull owner was a renter and neither he nor the homeowner would supply insurance information. I found out that the two pit bulls had recently been purchased from the city’s pound. The pit bull owner stated in the police report that he would reimburse medical bills, but later refused when he learned the vet bill was $2000. Letters from me and my attorney sent by certified mail were never picked up. After numerous complaints to AC, they told the pit bull owner he needed to pay the vet bill. I received partial payment before he wrote a check for the balance on a closed account. I reported the bad check to the police, but they were not able to locate the pit bull owner.

What would you like people to know as a result of your attack?
I would like people to know that pit bull attacks can happen anywhere including nice neighborhoods close to your home. I would like people to know there are resources for pit bull attack victims available including the very helpful “If You’re Attacked” checklist on the NPBVA website. I learned that the lack of response after a pit bull attack is both appalling and frustrating and that the pit bull lobby is pervasive and well-funded. I learned that victims are often attacked by pit bull advocates on social media and are blamed for their own attacks. I learned that well-meaning friends and relatives still refuse to believe that pit bulls are dangerous. But I’ve also learned that there are groups where pit bull attack victims are heard. We’re outnumbered and under-financed, but we’re not alone.

Unprovoked attack by pit bull that rescue workers claimed had been rehabilitated

Unprovoked attack by pit bull that rescue workers claimed had been rehabilitated

Name: MJ
Victim: Adult, Pet
Location: On the street in our neighbourhood, British Columbia
Year of attack: 2014

Tell us about the attack
My daughter and I were walking our small dogs when a pit bull being walked by another woman broke its leash, rushed across the street and attacked our little male dog. The pit bull was muzzled but determined and tore off its muzzle. It was a direct prey attack. My hand was bitten. Our little dog rolled on his back in submission and the pit bull ripped his stomach out. We had no idea what had happened or why – we couldn’t comprehend it. Pit bulls were restricted in our city before 2005. It was like a wild animal had come out of nowhere. I ran to the vet with little dog’s insides in my hands but he did not survive. The vet and his staff experienced trauma for months.

How has your life changed as a result of the attack?
We had PTSD for years after the attack. It took a long time to walk again in our neighbourhood. Years later, I tried to start jogging again, but within a week I was frightened by two different pit bulls. I eventually joined a gated botanical park so I could walk and run again in safety. The fear never leaves us. Even sitting on our porch, we’ve had unleashed dogs come tearing up the front path. Now that we know what can happen, we don’t feel safe anywhere, even on our front porch. It’s taken 6 years out of our lives.

Legal Consequences
The pit bull was taken by animal control and euthanized. Animal Control laid five charges against the owners, but the city prosecutor dropped the case for lack of “evidence”. It was considered a “dog-on-dog” fight. The woman owner got another pit bull a week after the first one was euthanized, but Animal Control removed it since the case was ongoing. Before leaving town and disappearing, the owners wrote a letter to a newspaper claiming it was our fault and their pit bull was a “support dog”. Through reporters, we discovered the dog had actually been seized from a fight ring in the north and kept for some time in a shelter. Two “behaviour therapists” from the shelter claimed it was “rehabilitated”. The couple who adopted it knew its dangerous background.

What would you like people to know as a result of your attack?
We would like people to know that while all dogs can be dangerous, dogs like pit bulls in particular see small dogs as prey. We’ve been scorned and berated by owners of large dogs for being afraid, but once you go through this, you can never not know it. Pit bulls should be banned and heavily restricted in all areas. Above all, I believe laws should be written with strong consequences for owners of dangerous dogs. “Breed neutral” laws are not working.