Name: Jennifer Parks-Mayfield
Victim: Other No victim
Location: A public park, Oklahoma
Year of attack: 1986

Tell us about the attack

I took my 3-year-old daughter to Spaulding Park in Muskogee, Oklahoma, to feed the ducks. Across the park I could see 2 young men with 2 large pit bulls on chains. I had a feeling of fear, I guess a mother’s instinct, so I was cautious even though they were quite a distance away. One of the dogs was looking toward the duck pond, not sure if it was looking at my child or the ducks. I turned to help my little girl feed the ducks and I heard the men yelling loudly. One of the pit bulls was running at full speed bearing down on my child. There was nowhere we could go, neither could we swim. I pushed her behind me and backed to the water’s edge. The pit bull ran straight up to me, and was attempting to go around me to get at my child when the men caught up to it and grabbed the chain. We left the park immediately.

How has your life changed as a result of the attack?
I was terrified. To be so helpless in a situation that happened with NO interactions leading up to any type of aggression by this pit bull. This was 35 years ago, and I have been deathly afraid of pit bulls since. I will NEVER forget the fear and complete bewilderment on my part as a parent in that situation as to how to save my child.

Legal Consequences
None, I immediately left the park.

What would you like people to know as a result of your attack?
That there doesn’t have to ever be ANY kind of interaction with a pit bull for them to attack, or try to attack. It doesn’t matter how a pit bull is raised or treated kindly and lovingly by their owner, too many incidents of family pits attacking their owners and family members they were raised with and who have loved them. Too much tragic loss of life to be overlooked. I had a guardian angel that day and I will never forget it as long as I live.