Tag Archives: Victim Stories

Miniature horse

Loving family pit bull snaps and brutally mauls miniature horse

Name: Brittany Brazelton
Victim: Pet
Location: Horse boarding facility, Washington State
Year of attack: 2000

Tell us about the attack

My best friend at age 14 had a loving, family-friendly pit bull they had owned for years. He would often accompany us to the boarding stables where we kept our horses. This particular day, I tied up my mini horse named Apple Jack and my regular size horse to groom them. The pit bull approached the mini, started sniffing him, then suddenly with no notice or warning sign grabbed him by the muzzle. My friend and I tried our best to fight the pit bull off but he wouldn’t let go. We finally broke him off, and put him in a room in a nearby shed.

The pit bull quickly broke out of the shed and went straight back to mauling the mini horse. This time he had the horse by an upper back leg. The horse urinated and defecated in fear. Again we fought hard to get the pit bull to let go, but all efforts failed. Only with a broomstick did we finally pry the pit bull’s jaws open.

How has your life changed as a result of the attack?
Even since I have had anxiety and fear around dogs. The mini horse was a basket case moving forward. It’s a miracle he survived, but he looked extremely disfigured. I now advocate against pit bulls being around kids or animals. I will never allow them around mine!

Legal Consequences
The pit bull owner was requested to pay the vet bills, but this wasn’t enough.

What would you like people to know as a result of your attack?
This pit bull was raised in a loving, Christian home. He had displayed NO signs of aggression prior to this, he merely — snapped. Just snapped, with no warning, or provocation.

Apple Head Chihuahua

Pit bulls killed my little buddy

Name: Jim
Victim: Pet
Location: In a hotel elevator, San Marcos, Texas
Year of attack: November 2022

Tell us about the attack

My wife and I recently lost everything because of my health. I had a heart attack, I have kidney disease, I had a stroke, and I was recently diagnosed with “white matter” disease.  We were living on my Social Security in a hotel in San Marcos, Texas. But we had Pete, our Apple Head Chiweenie dog, to keep our spirits up. We’d had him for about 8 years.

I had just gotten back to the hotel after being gone for several hours. So I needed to take Pete out to do his business. We had to take the elevator to go outside. Pete was so excited to get to go outside — he loved being outside. I had Pete on a short leash and when the doors opened, there were two massive pit bulls about six inches from the door waiting to get on the elevator. They immediately attacked Pete with no warning or provocation. One had him by an ear, the other by his hind leg. I tried to help Pete but they would not let go. They tore open his guts and he also had a collapsed lung. He died there in my arms!

How has your life changed as a result of the attack?
I lost my little companion, my buddy, my pal! He loved sitting in my lap in my truck and sticking his head out the window with his big ears flapping in the wind. When I was away from the house or hotel, Pete kept my wife company. My wife is devastated, she lost her baby, her companion! On top of everything else, we just recently had our truck break down so now we have truly lost everything, including our little boy that we both loved so very, very much! We feel empty inside, our heart is completely broken! Pete will live on in our hearts and memories forever!

We’re still in shock and denial that it really happened. We just can’t believe that Pete isn’t here with us anymore. He would always sleep under the covers with us. I would wake up in the middle of the night and feel with my hand to find him. Once I felt his furry little body, it comforted me and I would fall back to sleep. Last night I couldn’t find him, and I cried all night. We now have literally lost everything. But with him gone, I am not sure if we’ll make it. We are just too heart broken. Pit bulls took from us the last thing we had left to keep us going.

Legal Consequences
This happened yesterday, the 17th of November 2022. We have yet to do anything because we are Christians and don’t want to have to break up another family but something has to be done before those pit bulls kill a child or someone else.

The people who owned the pit bulls get to go on living with their dogs as though nothing happened. We don’t.

What would you like people to know as a result of your attack?
I’m not sure, I’m too angry and too distraught to even think about what should done. But something has to change before other lives are destroyed. Pete was our child, at least we felt that way about him, but what would happen if someone’s son or daughter had been at that elevator door when it opened? I am thankful that I came across this website for victims of pit bulls. Maybe between us all we can come up with a solution.

Dog groomer

Dog groomer says vicious reputation of pit bulls is true — and deserved

Name: J.M. Pringle
Victim: Pet
Location: Grooming salon, Ontario
Year of attack: 2019

Tell us about the attack

I worked at a dog grooming salon, and I was grooming a small female Aussie Shepherd. The salon owner (who was a pit lover) demanded I put that dog on the floor and instead groom the pit (illegal here in Ontario) that she was holding. I wanted to finish the Aussie Shepherd, but she (the owner) refused my request. So I picked up the Aussie Shepherd off the grooming table and put her on the floor. Without a second’s hesitation or warning, the pit bull (which the owners had identified as an “American Bully”) attacked the Aussie, grabbing her by the neck and shaking her. The salon owner attempted to pull the pit off, but the harness broke. I grabbed a broom and started hitting the pit on the head and body with all my might. Thank god, the pit let the Aussie loose, and I scooped her up and into a crate.

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

The above attack, and numerous other close calls in my work with dogs, has left me fully aware that all the stories about the nature of attacks by pit type dogs are 100% true.

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

Call them what you may — American Bully, “Lab Cross”, “Boxer Cross”, Staffy — these pit type dogs are immediately recognizable by breed safety law advocates such as myself. The argument that they are not “true pits” is a ridiculous story convincing no one, because if it looks like a pit, walks like a pit, and bites like a pit, IT IS A PIT TYPE DOG, and is genetically programmed to attack, maul and murder without provocation.

These types of dogs are dangerous. They kill people and pets, and no matter what lies the pit lovers tell people and themselves, pit bull type dogs are always a real and present threat. Every single day, world-wide, pit-type dogs murder pets, livestock, seniors, young persons and babies.

Pit bull

Pit bull attacks with no warning or provocation and tears victim’s lip off

Name: Otto Snow
Victim: Adult
Location: Walking on the street. Bangor, Maine
Year of attack: 2018

Tell us about the attack

My friend and I were walking along the street in the neighborhood. We were going to get some pizza. We could see an unleashed pit bull running in the street ahead of us. As we walked by the driveway, the man was playing with a very excited pit bull at the top of the driveway near the garage. We exchanged small talk and kept walking. I glanced back and I thought that I saw the man putting a leash on the pit bull in the driveway, as though to take it for a walk. My friend and I kept walking. My friend stopped and turned. I then did the same, and the pit bull lunged from out of the blue and tore my lip off. I fell to the ground and covered my face from further attack. The owner of the pit bull said to me that his pit bull had “never done that before.”

I was brought to the hospital for emergency surgery.

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

It destroyed my life. I am losing everything. I am now getting help outside of the area and state. My ventures to bring tech, publishing and support groups to this area of the state have now collapsed.

Legal Consequences
It is under litigation.

What would you like people to know as a result of your attack?
If you want to own a tiger, fine. Just make sure that it is on a chain, that you are responsible, and if it harms others, you take responsibility or are prepared to be held responsible. Accountability. People who are irresponsible should not own tigers or pit bulls for that matter. Landlords/property owners need to be held responsible.

Boxer dog

Pit bull attacks my boxer during a meet and greet

Name: KK
Victim: Pet
Location: Walking in my neighborhood, Oregon
Year of attack: 2022

Tell us about the attack

I allowed my dog (a boxer) to meet and greet two other dogs (a pit bull and an Australian shepherd) that were pulling on their leashes with a lady who said she was a friend of their owner. The two dogs sandwiched my boxer tightly. Then the pit bull and my dog started snarling. I tried to pull my dog away but the pit bull bit deeply into my dog’s neck and would not let go. The lady and I were screaming and struggling to hold onto the dogs as we rolled around on the ground with them, trying to pull them apart. The pit bull did not release my dog’s throat until a man passing in a truck stopped and put his hands around the pit bull’s neck long enough to make it gasp for air and let go. I took my dog to an emergency vet. After a several hour wait, she underwent surgery. She was given staples and a drain tube in her neck.

How has your life changed as a result of the attack?
I have been suffering since from PTSD. I am struggling to do my regular daily tasks and it takes all my energy to make it to work each day and to take care of my 9-year old daughter, along with my wounded dog.

Legal Consequences
As this was my first time experiencing this, I did not think to exchange contact information. I don’t know what happened to the pit bull. Its owner did not try to help with any of my vet bills.

What would you like people to know as a result of your attack?
Do not ever allow your dog to meet and greet pit bulls. I used to try to be open-minded about pit bulls being just like any other dog. Now I know first hand that, unfortunately, they carry higher aggression and injury risk with their bite and hold tendency.

English pointer

Pit bull attacks English pointer

Name: KC
Victim: Pet
Location: Friends home, Texas
Year of attack: 2022

Tell us about the attack

I dropped off my nice-tempered English Pointer with a friend in San Marcos, Texas because I was staying with other friends in Driftwood that had adopted an insane pit bull and I wanted to avoid trouble. What I didn’t know, however, was that the irresponsible granddaughter of my friends in San Marcos had dumped a pit bull on them.

While I was away for only a few hours, that pit bull attacked and seriously wounded my pointer. In trying to avoid on pit bull attack, I exposed my poor pointer to another! She has now recovered.

Small children live and come to my friend’s house. I have warned him it is only a matter of time and a nasty attack will occur again. He will not listen. Ban Pit Bulls In Texas !!!

How has your life changed as a result of the attack?
I must now put my dog in a commercial kennel when visiting the area to avoid any chance of a gruesome attack. My foolish friends that adopt these monsters will only understand when they are arrested, fined, and incarcerated WHEN the pits attack again! You can not convince these fools even with strong evidence of the truth. Putting them away with crippling fines to think about it would suit me fine.

Legal Consequences
No report was made, as the attack was inside my friend’s house. But no more visits there.

What would you like people to know as a result of your attack?
Pit bulls can snap and attack any animal and any person at any time. Truly the emblematic animal of Ghetto Culture right along side the rat, but much more dangerous.

Hand and arm in cast

Pit bull attack physically and financially damages my life

Name: Christine
Victim: Adult
Location: Street, Delaware
Year of attack: 2018

Tell us about the attack

I was walking my dog went around a corner one block from my house. A pit bull ran off a porch, and attacked me and my dog. I had my dog picked up to my waist trying to keep the pit bull from hurting her. The pit bull bit my right forearm and hand, partially amputated my right index finger, and punctured my left hand fingers and left forearm. Eight surgeries and now complete amputation of right index finger, years of physical therapy, nerve pain, rabies shot series, financial devastation from the medical costs.

How has your life changed as a result of the attack?
Financially, I lost my job, retirement savings, and incurred medical bills exceeding $300,000 dollars. I have pain all the time. I am limited to no use of right hand, limited use of left hand. Years of seeing a physiotherapist. My family has been affected by this also. It has been very difficult.

Are there any funds to help victims of pit bulls? Anyone who has information on who I need to talk to, please let me know.

Legal Consequences
The pit bull was put down as this was its third attack. The pit owner didn’t even get a fine, not that that money would have come to me, anyway.

What would you like people to know as a result of your attack?
Be aware of what pit bulls are in your area.

Golden retriever in bed

Golden retriever attacked by pit bull

Name: Jeff & Lauren Wratchford
Victim: Adult, Pet
Location: In our neighborhood/ on the street while walking our dog, West Virginia
Year of attack: 2022

Tell us about the attack

On October 27th, 2022, my husband and I were walking our one-year-old golden retriever around our private neighborhood. We spotted a pit bull about 60 yards from us near a tree not on a leash with no owner around. It saw us and immediately ran towards us and latched on to our golden’s neck, with no provocation or reason! Thank God we saw it coming because my husband was prepared. My husband grabbed a hold of it and wrestled him to the ground as I was pulling our dog away. The pit bull bit our dog’s neck then got a hold of his leg and lastly his tail. My husband choke-held it on the ground in the middle of the street as I ran home with our dog. My husband’s knees, elbows and hands were all cut up and bleeding. He let the pit go and another neighbor trapped it in another neighbor’s back yard until animal control came out.

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

I have three young sons and now I can’t let them play outside and I can’t walk my dog without being in fear this pit bull will get out and attack again.

Legal Consequences
Animal control and the sheriff’s department will not release the pit bull owner’s name or let us know if the pit bull was released but said the dog does live in our neighborhood.

What would you like people to know as a result of your attack?
It could have been a lot worst if my husband wasn’t on the walk with me because I wouldn’t have been able to fight the pit bull off and it could have killed my dog and injured myself.  It was an evil monster intent on killing and my husband legit saved me and our dog’s life.

Nature trail

Pit bull attacks on nature trail

Name: Dee
Victim: Adult, Child
Location: Hiking on a trail, North Carolina
Year of attack: 2022

Tell us about the attack

My boyfriend and I, along with our one-year-old child, were finishing up our hike at the end of a trail. Suddenly, an aggressive pit bull appeared from around a bend in the trail and immediately charged us.

I’ve never been afraid of dogs. I was even still in denial as it came at us, but seeing its snapping jaws and wide eyes made me realize that this pit bull was going to attack.

In a “paranoid” moment about wildlife attacks a few weeks earlier, I had bought pepper spray, just in case, not even thinking I’d have to use it against a dog, and had it in my pocket.

The pit bull got within five feet of us still running at breakneck speed when I sprayed it.

It didn’t even stop, or yelp in pain. It just changed its path and tried to come at us again from another angle. By then, the owner caught up to it and managed to restrain it as we walked away. Did he apologize? No. He said that his pit “is a big baby and didn’t mean any harm.”

How has your life changed as a result of the attack?
Like I said before, I’ve never been afraid of dogs, but this incident woke me up. I started reading about aggressive behavior in normal dogs vs. pit bulls and realized that the  genetics of pit bulls make them completely different from other dogs.

I keep seeing the “blame the owner argument”, but that shows a severe lack of self- accountability and awareness. I refuse to accept such excuses if what someone thinks is a “big baby” can suddenly snap and threaten my family.

From now on, I will be paranoid around every single pit bull and their clueless owners that I cross paths with .

Legal Consequences
Due to me still being in denial about the “bad owner, good dog” trope at the time, I failed to report this.

What would you like people to know as a result of your attack?
Protect yourself. My paranoia saved us an uninsured trip to the hospital at best, and a funeral for me, my boyfriend, or our child at worst.

The average pit bull owner is NOT responsible enough to keep their pit bull from attacking. Letting them off of their leash, around children or other dogs, even leaving them untethered in their backyard for them to get the opportunity to escape IS irresponsible. Their wilful denial of reality is part of the problem.

pit bull

My neighbor’s pit bull invaded my house and killed my dog

Name: Nicole W,
Victim: Pet
Location: In my home, California
Year of attack: 2022

Tell us about the attack

On Friday Oct 21, 2022, a neighbor who lives two doors down was on vacation. He owns a male pit bull. His sister and her husband were house sitting, and with them, they had a female pit bull they are breeding with his male pit bull.

When they were visiting my neighbor a month ago, the female pit bull escaped somehow and entered my home and tried to kill my dog, Sammy, who only had three legs. The neighbor ran into my house and grabbed the pit bull. My little dog went flying across the living room but he survived.

Now a month later, the female pit bull decided to invade the house again to attack my dog a second time. My sister was there and called 911 and another neighbor tried to get the pit bull off but it was too late. The pit bull had its jaws firmly bitten into Sammy’s throat and shook him till he died.

How has your life changed as a result of the attack?
As I write this, this was only four days ago. I’m sick to my stomach. I’m going through waves of being scared, then sad, then mad. I can’t sleep: what’s going to happen if that pit bull tries to attack me or my sister next? The pit bull owner came over and said, with a blank cold face, “I’m really sorry for what happened.” I said, “Who let that dog out?” She replied, “I don’t know. Like I said, I’m sorry for your loss.” I said, “That dog needs to go.” She didn’t reply to that. I started crying more.

Where is my dog’s justice? I took pictures of Sammy’s body. I had to clean the blood up in my living room. My sister says this was traumatizing for her. She said she saw everything and that it was awful.

I want the pit bull removed from my street. That’s all I ask.

Legal Consequences

The sheriff said he sent the report to LA; it’s a civil case now, he said. I have no idea what that means. They will supposedly contact me to inform me what they decide to do about the pit bull that illegally invaded my house and killed my dog.

I took pictures of my dog’s puncture wounds. He died on the spot so there were no medical bills. I buried him myself, so there were no burial bills. I adopted him three years ago. He cost $295.00 plus $600.00 for medical when his front leg was amputated a few years. Now I feel like I have nothing without my Sammy.

What would you like people to know as a result of your attack?
Pit bulls can be vicious and dangerous. Be careful with your pets around them. It’s a painful traumatic experience to go through.