Tag Archives: Unprovoked

Jack Russell with teddy bear

Jack Russell victim of unprovoked pit bull attack

Name: Cathy L.
Victim: Adult, Pet
Location: On Street, Oregon
Year of attack: 2020

Tell us about the attack

I was walking my Jack Russell in a residential area. A pit bull broke out of a front gate and appeared out of nowhere to launch an unprovoked attack. He pinned my dog to the ground and caused me to fall down. He kept attacking and biting my dog for a couple of minutes while I was screaming. The pit owners came out and pulled him off. My dog slid out of his harness and ran. He was a bloody mess. I ran after him for 2-3 blocks and finally caught him. I was in shock. My son who lives nearby heard me screaming and ran to help. We brought my dog to the vet and he was treated for multiple puncture wounds. The vet said he was lucky.

How has your life changed as a result of the attack?
I do not like put bulls at all. I wish they would be outlawed. I am scared to death of them and would never go near one. When I hear stories of pit bull attacks, I am appalled. The recent attack and killing of the two small children in Tennessee by their parents’ trusted pet pit bulls should make people reconsider ever owning a pit bull. They are dangerous and not to be trusted.

Legal Consequences
I filed a police report. The pit bull owner was fined but never paid the fine. I was stuck with the vet bills.

What would you like people to know as a result of your attack?
I would like people to realize that pit bulls do not make good pets. No matter how “loving” the owner thinks they are, they can turn on the owner or anyone else they come in touch with. They are unstable and dangerous animals.

Yorkshire terrier

Innocent happy walk on sunny day proves fatal to Yorkie because of a pit bull

Name: JAS
Victim: Pet
Location: neighborhood street, Maryland
Year of attack: 2022

Tell us about the attack

I have a 17-year-old paraplegic Bichon and a 6-pound Yorkie, Ava. At the start of October 2022, rain had kept us indoors for at least 4 days. It finally stopped on Wednesday, October 5, 2022, so I decided to get the dog stroller for the Bichon out and take us for a walk. The neighborhood loop is a little under a mile. Both dogs were happy to be out in the fresh air and little Ava was keeping up with me on her leash.

We reached a point where two alleys meet across the street we were walking on. I spotted a white year-old American Staffordshire Terrier pit bull on a leash with a middle school girl and her friend. They had been running in the alley and the dog was worked up in play. In four seconds it pulled its leash out of the girl’s hand, raced to us, grabbed and shook Ava, crushed her, and dropped her. The girls were horrified, grabbed the leash and did a pit-and-run with the pit bull. We have not been able to locate the owners.

Ava died immediately.

How has your life changed as a result of the attack?
On the positive side, I have been supported by my neighborhood, made new friends and feel very loved. Ava died on a happy day, but the shock is still with me. The news was posted on the Community Facebook page and on a “Nextdoor” news app. Ava’s death has raised awareness on responsible dog ownership. One person wrote that a lose Yorkie is a nuisance, but a lose pit bull is a tragedy waiting to happen. I have been advised to carry mace. Today an adult male walked his pit bull past my yard and could barely restrain it. Yesterday a couple with a baby walked their pit bull past my house.

Legal Consequences
If I had picked my Yorkie up and been bitten I would have a criminal case against the owner. If Ava had lived, the vet said she would have needed $30,000 worth of surgery only to live the rest of her life in pain and with PTSD.

The dog loving owners in my neighborhood are looking for the pit bull that killed Ava. The police and Animal Control cannot do anything without an address. The owners never should have allowed these girls to be put in the position of losing control of their young pit bull. The girls are also victims. Can they trust this pit when it fully develops into its muscle? Will it kill again, attack even them maybe?

What would you like people to know as a result of your attack?
If you own a pit bull, please be a responsible owner and muzzle your animal when off your property.  Genetics are difficult to train out of an animal.

People should not have to be afraid to walk their dogs. But thanks to pit bulls, we now live in a world where some dog owners are arming themselves.

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.

Pug

Pug victim of unprovoked explosive attack by two pit bulls

Name: Morgan McFarlin
Victim: Adult, Pet
Location: Walking in my neighborhood, Ohio
Year of attack: 2022

Tell us about the attack

I was walking my elderly pug near in the condo community where I live. Moments later, a tan pit bull was within inches of my pug’s small head. By the time I was on the ground, extending my left arm to separate the pit bull’s head from that of my pug, the tan pit had already attempted its first bite. For 45 long and agonizing seconds, the pit bull sprang up, teeth gnashing, with repeated attempts to bite my dog and biting my arm instead. Despite the pit bull’s owner being a large male, he was unable to gain control of the enraged pit bull. A second pit bull entered the scene and the attack directed towards my pug continued. The owners were unable to gain control of the pits, with the pits continuing to break out of the choke holds. In the end, my coat was torn, my left arm bitten, but the pug physically unscathed. I saved my pug but this was hell.

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

I previously had a misconception of pit bulls, believing them to only be aggressive towards people or pets that posed a threat. I am now acutely aware of their attack potential and their aggressive demeanor.

I am now entirely unable to feel at peace outside the confines of my own home, especially when I have to take Evie (the pug) outside to use the bathroom. I am fearful for myself, my pet, and the many other people and pets that live (and also walk) in this community. This was an unprovoked and explosive attack, and I fear that I will not again feel the peace and comfort that I previously did, while taking my dog on a post work, evening walk. I cannot put into words the degree of terror and helplessness I felt, knowing that I was fighting for the life of my beloved pug, and quite possibly my own life as well.

Legal Consequences
The police were called and a report filed promptly after the attack. The owners of the tan and grey pit bulls would not answer the door for the police. They provided me with the full name of the owners, which I then used to contact Animal Control. An officer came to my home and took pictures, my victim statement, and then charged the owner with having one “dangerous” and one “nuisance” dog. Failure to control, failure to restrain, and failure to register the pit bulls were also cited. The pit that bit me is being quarantined for 10 days.

What would you like people to know as a result of your attack?
Beware of this breed. Beware of their potential to inflict catastrophic damage, and by God, if you have one, ensure that they are adequately restrained at all times! I now believe firmly that legislation to ensure the safety of the general public through breed specific legislation is imperative.

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!

Black miniature pinscher

Miniature pinscher slaughtered by pit bull in out-of-the blue, unprovoked attack

Name: DMK
Victim: Pet
Location: Walking around a campground, New Brunswick
Year of attack: 2022

Tell us about the attack

I suffered a preventable and horrible loss of my sweet little miniature pinscher, Milo, on this past Saturday.

We were walking around the same path we had taken hundreds of times before. At the boat launch. There was a truck parked there not too far off. We stopped only for a second to look at the water. Just as I turned away from the water, I saw a pit bull leaping out of the opened truck window and racing towards us. Milo screamed and ran behind me for protection, but before I could pick him up the pit bull grabbed him. I started screaming. A man tried to get Milo out of the pit bull’s mouth and he almost succeeded but then the pit bull swallowed Milo’s whole head in his maw and started shaking him.

By now, two men were punching the pit bull. They forced it to the ground and one man kept yelling, “get his mouth open.” But I could see my sweet baby hanging out of the monster’s mouth, and I already knew his body was lifeless.

How has your life changed as a result of the attack?
I am devastated, I can’t stop crying and I see my poor little boy hanging out of that pit bull’s mouth whether I am awake or sleeping.

What would you like people to know as a result of your attack?
I wish pit bull owners would understand that a simple thing like a muzzle on them could save other dog’s lives. These attacks can be slowed down by a respectful and responsible owner. I would like to see a law passed to this effect that I would call, “Milo’s law.”

News story: https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/milo-s-law-n-b-woman-wants-legislation-after-dog-attacked-killed-1.6047958

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.

Miniature poodle

Miniature poodle killed by repeat-offender pit bull in out-of-the blue, unprovoked attack

Name: Susan Terzo
Victim: Adult, Pet
Location: Public Sidewalk, Florida
Year of attack: 2022

Tell us about the attack

I was walking both of my miniature poodles at 7 a.m. as we did every morning for the past 2.5 years. My dogs were both on leashes. They stopped to sniff the grass and were just enjoying the smells. All of a sudden a very large pit bull appeared out of nowhere. The pit was very quiet and then without warning, noise or growling, just grabbed one of my dogs and picked her up like a rag doll.

I was screaming “Help Me!” and fighting with this beast. He bit me in the process. A man came out to help me, but it was impossible for either one of us to get the pit bull to release my dog. After he killed her and left her on the ground, the owner came out. He muzzled the pit bull and used my leash (as he did not have one) to take the dog away. I called a friend who rushed me to the emergency vet, but my dog was dead.

How has your life changed as a result of the attack?
I cannot unsee what happened. I have nightmares that wake me up in the middle of the night. I avoid all other dogs. My surviving dog has PTSD too. He wouldn’t walk on a leash for a while. I had to get another dog to help him with his anxiety. Life has not been the same since the death of our family member. I take very short walks now and carry a stun gun and bear spray. I have scars to remind me everyday of the fight I had with this monster.

Legal Consequences
After investigating, I found out that this dog had two prior attacks in a neighboring county. I had my animal control department contact the other counties and they confirmed it is the same pit bull.

The pit bull has been declared dangerous. Animal control gave him citations for not following the mandates for a dangerous dog. As of three weeks ago when animal control checked, the pit bull was still at home, a block from where I live. It will take a long time for animal control to ask the court to hand over the animal. The owner is unwilling. I hope nobody else gets hurt while we sit here and wait.

What would you like people to know as a result of your attack?
Walk with a weapon and don’t relax until you are in a safe place. No place is safe as long as pit bulls are allowed to be family pets in our communities.

Pit bull

Pit bull attacks out of the blue; owners deny it was theirs

Name: Jule Coda
Victim: Adult, Child, Pet
Location: 2 blocks from our house on a bike ride. California
Year of attack: 2012

Tell us about the attack

This thing came out of nowhere and first attacked our black lab, Cody. Once the blue nose pit bull chased the dog off, it turned its sights on my 7-year-old daughter, bobbing back and forth trying to get past me. To my right, our dog came back, distracting the pit bull and saving my daughter’s life. I had seen a video on how to stop a dog attack about three weeks before, from the Alkban self defense website and I used that to stop the pit bull, saving my dog’s life.

While I held the pit bull down, my daughter grabbed our dog and ran for home. Our neighbor was pulling into his driveway and he grabbed a strap and help me hold the dog down until help arrived: Sheriff, Fire Department, Animal Control, and Ambulance.

The fire department smothered the pit bull at the scene.

How has your life changed as a result of the attack?
It’s been 10 years since the attack and both my daughter and I still have nightmares. We have extreme stress around pit bulls, and they seem to be everywhere now. When we initially moved into our neighborhood seven years ago there were no pit bulls. And now there is seemingly one in every household where we live. I can’t even take our dog to the dog park because it’s over run with pit bulls, and after the last two altercations including a man trying to get his pit bull to attack our dog, we don’t go for walks anymore. We can’t even go to the beach, because pit bulls are everywhere.

We’ve had other altercations with pit bull owners who seem to enjoy their pit bulls growling and snarling at people, so I often carry a stun gun with me which works as a great deterrent when they know you’re armed.

Legal Consequences
The pit bull owners were never fined. They suddenly had a case of amnesia, and never admitted to even owning the pit bull. They even drove by as I was holding their pit bull down and never stopped to ask if I needed help. They just drove by.

After a necropsy by the County veterinarian to declare no rabies, the owners of the pit bull never collected the body of their beloved pet. We also didn’t see them around the neighborhood much anymore. Animal Control never followed up with them. Since the pit bull had no license, no ID tag, or microchip, there was no way to prove that the dog came from their house. So nothing was done.

Four months before our attack I had called Animal Control reporting this dog loose. Animal Control never showed up.

What would you like people to know as a result of your attack?
My daughter, even 10 years later, has concerns that if she goes outside there’s going to be a pit bull, so she prefers to stay indoors, and listen to music. Pit bulls make her nervous.

I get extremely angry around pit bulls. The defensive Mother bear comes up.

Our black Labrador Cody feared dogs ever after. He took the brunt of the assault when he saved my daughter. His puncture wounds were so deep around his throat that the emergency veterinarian wouldn’t suture it closed for fear of infection. The fur grew back in white and we called it Cody’s “hero’s necklace”.

My daughter and I don’t have a mark on us from our attack because of Cody. Most people like to think that their dog would lay its life down for them, and we actually saw that. We lost Cody in June of 2021. He was 10 yrs old.