Name: Eric J.
Victim: Adult, Pet
Location: Across our own apartment building driveway on the grass, still on the property we were supposed to be on. New York State
Year of attack: 2021

Tell us about the attack

In 2019 my therapist at the time said that I fit the criteria for a support animal / dog. On November 16, 2019, I went to the local SPCA and they sold me a Staffordshire pit bull terrier.  This was my very first dog of my very own ever. I named him “Tank”. He was my world.

But the night of December 11, 2021 took everything away from us as we went out on our scheduled routine and we got attacked by 2 loose pit bulls. They were attacking Tank so I’m screaming and yelling help, stop, and as soon as I saw a break in the fighting I quickly scooped Tank up and got us inside the foyer as I sat there holding the door shut because of the weather and those dogs.

I went to get up. Then Tank my own pit bull started attacking me, biting my legs and I’m going, “Tank, what is wrong?” so in my confusion I sat back down and he continued to attack me.

How has your life changed as a result of the attack?
I am devastated because my very first experience with my dog has been ruined and as far as I know those 2 loose pit bulls are still out there on the streets and I can’t trust the breed anymore. And I had to euthanize my own pit bull that I got from the SPCA because of my attack.

Legal Consequences
I have reported it to our local animal control officer and there is a case number and we have video because we were right across from the front door of the other 2 dogs as I scooped up Tank on the video clip. And the police told me that they want to catch the other pit bull owners.

What would you like people to know as a result of your attack?
I’m devastated my life has been turned upside down.