Name: VL
Victim: Adult, Pet
Location: County Road, Arkansas
Year of attack: 2022

Tell us about the attack

I was walking my six-month-old mini Aussie, training for cold weather hiking. I heard dogs growling. I reined my puppy into my right, and had her sit. The other of the other dogs — which were pit bulls — told me one dog wouldn’t bother me, but the other was vicious. Then she instructed me to ‘hold your dog and don’t look at him’ (meaning her vicious dog.) Thinking the owner knew her dog, I complied. WORST MISTAKE. I never saw her pit bull break the leash, and even when he attacked me it didn’t register what was going on. It tore my dog’s leg off at the shoulder and dragged us down the side of the mountain. I called 911 and my neighbors. We were rescued. My puppy went to a surgical vet hospital and me to an ER. I was bitten 6-8 times, my puppy was in surgery for three hours. She survived thank God! The pit bull had attacked 2 other dogs previously; I was the first human.

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

I have never ever dealt with anything like this! I am in therapy for paralyzing panic attacks. My puppy loves everyone — humans and dogs. But she startles easily.

This  entire incident was preventable if the pit bull owners had only complied with a previous HOA ruling that the pit bull was to be muzzled every time it was off their home property! Instead she played the consummate victim — each of the previous attacks in her mind had always been the other dogs’ fault. She even went so far as to state that this time my puppy started it by barking. Realize we were 20 feet away, uphill in fact. And my puppy was in my arms.

She can not carry a litter of puppies due to the weight as she struggles with balance now that she only has one front leg. She also is taking meds to help preserve the joints in her remaining legs due to the additional stress.

Legal Consequences

The pit bull owner put her pit bull down and was issued a citation for owning a vicious dog. Currently I am pursuing restitution for my and my dog’s doctor/hospital bills and all costs relating to this attack.

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

NEVER EVER TRUST SOMEONE WHEN THEY TELL YOU ABOUT THEIR PIT BULL’S BEHAVIOR!! Protect yourself first and foremost! And your pet if they are with you.