What to do in Pit Bull Attack?

[kweisner]

A little fearful today...

Corbett, the Boxer, would not go out with me to go potty this morning, I had to drag him. But I took him over to his doggie buddy "Chopper's" (English Bulldog, 9 months) to play for a bit and he seems to be ok now. He has slept a ton today. That could be his new bed, who knows. He has doggie class tonight so I hope that gets the fear out of his system. As far as the terrier, I saw him the morning and he wagged his tail and licked me but I don't know how he will be with other dogs. He is not allowed to play until his wounds heal!

 

[DupontBoxer]

I am so sorry you had such an awful experience. As a fellow Washington boxer owner, can I ask where you were walking? I just want to make sure that I avoid that block! You might also contact the Washington Animal Rescue League to see if they have any suggestions for getting the DC animal control to listen to you.

 

[courtney323]

kweisner -

Please post your Introduction, per the RULES

 

[Upstatestuff]

this worries me also, as the 2 young men who live next door whom are very irresponsible have just "rescued" a pit bull puppy. Our condo development doesn't even allow this breed. There are specific breed restrictions which tells me that they are "hiding" the pit bull. I have only seen it once, but I have heard it crying and them yelling like jerks at it to "shut the @#$% up!" These neighbors have been a repeated problem, and have received many complaints for noise violations because their bass used to be on morning noon and night so loud your walls would shake. They still have it on way too loud during the day and it pi@#es me off because they now have a puppy with little sensitive ears!! I don't understand how they slipped through the screening process, because they are always home, clearly have no jobs (unless they are doing illegal work from home) and are just general nuisances. Now, with our 10 week old little puppy, I am concerned, and I don't want to have to report them again, but what other choice do I have? The mail woman also asked me "is your dog a pit bull or a boxer?" She then told me about my neighbor who found the pit bull puppy in a dumpster somewhere! It's funny how people who really don't know much about dogs confuse pits and boxers simply because they both have brindled colorings and similar markings, but completely different bodies/snouts,etc.

I mean we have designated "pet walks" here, so I would hate for the dog to attack any of the other dogs/puppies around the property. Not that these guys are even bringing the dog outside ever... I know not all pit bulls are bad dogs, but judging from our neighbors irresponsible actions in the past and always, how the heck are they going to be able to take care of this puppy in the right way????

 

[kweisner]

Rules? and my neighborhood.

Hi Courtney, I'm pretty new to the forum. Oh whoops, missed that one. Dupont Boxer - I live in Shaw.

 

[marciafinn]

Oh my! How scary! I hope that your neighbor does file a report if only to protect anyone in the future if this dog should attack again. I have a friend with a lab mix that has bitten a few times. She felt extremely responsible & she fenced her yard and only brings the dog out with a muzzle now. It is strange since she is fine with Mason and a handful of other dogs as well as most people, but some dogs and people she'll just go after. She has gone to behaviorists & nobody has seemed to find the reason/cause. We can't bring her and Mason to play anywhere off leash anymore so play dates are in their fenced yard. I hope your friend and the pup are okay. I also hope the pup isn't too scarred when it comes to other dogs. Sending healing vibes to both. My golden was attacked and we couldn't stitch her wounds either.

I would also carry the citronello spray as a deterrent. Mase can backfire if it is windy and get in you & your dogs eyes possibly. While the citronella can too, it isn't as harmful as Mase. There are threads that I've read about this if you run a search.

 

[apollosdad]

sorry to hear about your bad experience. a pit bull made the news in our paper this morning. apparently the poor guy had been abandoned in a dumpster and left for dead. luckily someone heard him and called the proper authorites and got him some medical attention. the vet in the paper states that they think the poor pit was used for baiting other pit bull fighting dogs. it had a gash big enough in it's head that the top of his skull was fully visible. luckily, they said that it was a survivor and that they think it will be okay. they are waiting for it to recover from it's wounds in order to evaluate it and determine if it is aggressive or not, in order to allow it to be adopted or euthanized. it's a shame that these harmless animals have to undergo such things. it's irresponsible owners such as this and the ones you encountered on your walk that not only bring a bad reputation to the breed but cause unnecessary worry, stress, and anxiety to responsible dog owners. hope your neighbor feels well.

 

[MinPin2Boxer]

Sorry to hear what happened. I was attacked by a neighbors pit when I was 13 and it was very scary. Even still, I don't blame the dog, or the breed and was actually going to adopt one until I found out my city at the time banned them.
It doesn't matter the breed, your friend must report it, just for the fact it may save someone else's life or a dogs life in the future. I would keep on them and the city about it. Owners need to be responsible for their pets and not reporting it only lets these owners get away with it.
I hope your friend and dog get to feeling better and the dog is not afraid of other dogs.

Good luck!

 

[kerry001]

what to do in a pit bull attack

I would personally take them to small claims court and make them pay for the damage their dog inflicted. I would also stay after animal control to do something. Unfortunately some people only care about doing the "right" thing if it affects their wallet. Filing a small claim is inexpensive and quite easy to do.

 

[kweisner]

Update!

Here is the skinny on the Pit Bull. Finally, a police officer came to interview my neighbor and I. AND my neighbor saw a doctor and was given a tetanus shot. The Pit Bull's owners were served with a dog bite warning notice and have 48 hours to produce a rabies certificate or the dog will be taken to the city pound for 15 days of observation (rabies quarantine). Poor little Watson, the Terrier, is also under quarantine until the rabies certificate is produced or 15 days. If the dog bites again (and it is reported) he will be euthanized.

I called the local Humane Society and also spoke with my dog's trainer about Pit Bull attacks and here is what I learned:

When a Pit Bull attacks it does not growl, stare, hair does not stand up, etc. The warning signs are a wagging tail and the eyes go "red" around the outside. My dog trainer compared it to a hunting dog before the hunt, excited, ready to work.

Punching or trying to hurt the dog often does not help. Pit Bulls do not react to the pain (also like a hunting dog on the hunt when they get a scratch or briar).

Sometimes Pit Bulls cannot release their jaw. It "locks" and even if the dog wanted to, it physically could not release. Pit owners often carry a jaw pry stick when they walk their dog for this reason.

Your best chance is to distract the dog "before" the attack by using citronella, pepper spray, or even turning a water hose on the dog could prevent an attack.

All in all we are still pretty scared of this animal. I started to warn the other dog owners I see in the neighborhood. My neighbor has been doing the same thing. And it is working! I ran into a guy in the park today and he had already heard the story!