Name: DB
Victim: Pet
Location: Walking dog around county road by my home, Colorado
Year of attack: 2020

Tell us about the attack
I take my 10-year-old Boston terrier and maltipoo puppy for daily walks. Anytime I see a dog unleashed or not contained by a fence, I go the opposite direction and do not go that way again. This Saturday I saw a young pit bull in its yard with no fence. He was with young children and I immediately turned to go the opposite direction. The pit bull ran down his driveway and down the road to us and immediately started attacking my leashed Boston. I kicked and punched with all my might to get him off but the pit was latched on my Boston’s neck with my Boston underneath him. I grabbed the pit’s collar and kept kicking and punching him and he got up and told him to “go home”! He stood there with his tail straight up and I knew he was going to come after me. The only thing that saved us was pepper spray, which I was able to get to and used to spray the pit bull in the eyes.

How has your life changed as a result of the attack?
We have not gone for a walk since. I don’t feel safe to take the dogs out. I was screaming at the top of my voice at the dog and no one came out to help so guess I have to always be prepared to defend myself. I want to give them exercise but can’t think of a safe place to walk them. Our Boston is still recuperating from the injuries and I have not heard from the deputy if anything was done. Thankfully I had the pepper spray or the pit would have started up again. I have a hard time getting to sleep now, just reliving the event and seeing my Boston gurgling while the pit was locked onto his neck! Very traumatic!! I do carry a gun but was told I would have received a misdemeanor had I shot him, plus I don’t think I could have shot him anyway. Maybe I will get a tazer.

Legal Consequences
I called the sheriff’s office and they said the officer was unable to locate the pit bull. That is all that was done, I am stuck with the vet bill.

What would you like people to know as a result of your attack?
Please know that this can happen and have a plan. I had pepper spray in my fanny pack and was able to get to it and spray the pit bull in the eyes which made him run off.