Name: Dee T.
Victim: Adult, Pet
Location: Walk, Texas
Year of attack: 2017

Tell us about the attack
My father was walking his dog near a canal which was lined with small homes and condos. A pit bull broke loose from his patio area and headed at him and his small dog. It went for the dog first and my dad kicked it off the small dog; he then fell down and the pit bull looked to him. Luckily my father’s smaller dog and eventually another adult came.

I love dogs, but pit bulls and a few other types are too dangerous to have as pets. Between their strength and their instincts they are closer to wild animals than domestic animals. No one argues that we should have full wolves, large wild cats, wild dingos allowed as pets. Pit bulls are equally dangerous.

How has your life changed as a result of the attack?
Changed behavior. We have to adjust for these types of vicious animals and our habits have been infringed upon. When the elderly, parents, owners of small dogs have to change where they go and how they have to live because of pit bulls, it is a selfish argument to say that pit bulls don’t need to be regulated. No need for them as pets.

Legal Consequences
No fine. This attack was never filed so goes ‘unreported’. The numbers of attacks are much higher. Not to mention the fear caused.

What would you like people to know as a result of your attack?
It isn’t fair to worry only about the rights to own a dangerous animal, and the argument for pit bull ownership doesn’t have much weight beyond that argument. 90% of local SPCA animals are pit bulls for a very good reason. The majority of trouble situations go unreported and still pit bulls dominate the news. Pets in general are wonderful but an attachment to pit bulls doesn’t pass reasonable muster.