Name: Michele S.
Victim: Pet
Location: Own yard, Massachusetts
Year of attack: 1998

Tell us about the attack

I was in the backyard the week before Christmas in 1998 with my elderly dog, Sisly. She was an 11 lb. (5 kg) Pomapoo. Mostly blind and deaf, she was enjoying the snowflakes landing on her face. Out of nowhere a small, black pit bull came running and grabbed her before I even knew what was happening. I remember pounding on the pit bull and it felt like solid rock.

It was 4:00 am and my screams woke up the entire neighborhood.  The police came from four different towns because people thought I was being murdered. The pit bull was gone by the time they arrived.

To make a long story short, it killed her right in front of me.

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

I’ve had two dogs since my Sisly and am prepared now for anything. I would not live through that again. I’m prepared now to do what ever it takes to protect another pet or person from pit bulls.

Legal Consequences
None. No pit bull or owner was ever found.

What would you like people to know as a result of your attack?
While it’s true that any type of dog can be vicious, not every type of dog is capable of turning viciousness into a killing act. I believe with pits especially there’s a ‘trigger’ in some of them that’s a ticking time bomb: no matter how well they are raised and taken care of.

Since Sisly’s slaughter in her own backyard, the frequency of pit bull attacks has gotten worse and worse. 20 years ago you didn’t hear these stories every other day.

Pit bulls are too unpredictable and inherently dangerous. There should be a ban on them.