Dog Attack

OK, you were attacked by a pit bull that wouldn't stop even after being maced?  And, you only had "cuts" here and there??? 

You are lucky that you know who owns the dog.  You need to demand to see proof of rabies, and you need to file a written complaint with AC or the police.  You and your daughter may need to undergo the rabies series.  If his teeth are responsible for your cuts, absolutely unless you've seen, or had the police see, proof a current rabies.  Having recently completed the series myself after a dog attack, I can say that they are not so horrid, just the first set, but those need to be administered within twenty four hours of the bites, and the first ones are administered right INTO the actual bites.  That's the pleasant, but the balance of the series of five will just go into your rear.  The rabies series is very expensive....around four grand.....and most states have assistance for bite victims to offset the cost of the vaccine.

Some dogs are dog aggressive, regardless of their breed.  I've seen labs who are DA so it isn't just because this was a pittie.  And some have a very strong prey drive, which unfortunately, tiny dogs tend to bring out sometimes.

I am sure you were terribly upset and frightened by this whole event but I have to admit a couple of things just really made me think "OMG" 

First thought was , as much as I love my dogs there is NO WAY I would have allowed my child to get in the way of a dog fight to protect it. Period. The potential for terrible injury and scaring is beyond the stuff of nightmares. Better You  grieve for a dog, than try to put a child through years of plastic surgery or worse.

No disrespect intended but are you sure it was a pit?  There is a very interesting test that shows you about 25 dogs , and you try to find the Pit, few people actually figure it out. The amazing thing about this test is it was used with a pannel of Vets,Police Officers, Shelter workers and Animal Control.....

It would be really difficult to believe a Pit that was attacking allowed you all to get away with the tiny amount of damage, physical, that you described.

If you know the owners, even if only by location you should have a notarized statement from the man who came to your aide, photos of the injuries that were inflicted and then send copies to the owner, Animal Control, and the Police. If possible I would include documentation of the phone calls, ie a cell phone statement showing you  called them.   I would stress to the Owner that the law suit he will be facing should this happen again will be beyond finacially punative but that he is risking Criminal charges.

And on a small note about the police and the responce of lack of it... Just as many of us would find it really hard to envision a Pit attack with , sorry because I know you were scared, but such minimal damage from your own discription I would think the police or ac thought the same. Mistaken ID on dog , or an overly friendly dog who simply scared you all terribly but was not actually trying to fight or injure.

With dogs that run from 70-100 pounds I know if my guys get overly pumped when playing and they bounce off of you welts etc are easily left. No harm was ever intended but again they are good sized furkids and the bounce alone can leave a bruise. We have to really stress this part of our puppy training since we have small kids and until a few years ago two very infirm moms with poor balanace and walkers etc.

If you would like to try that test let me know I'll send you the url.  There are a LOT of scary dogs out there , sometimes Pits just get blamed becaused the real breed is not known to the frightened party.

I hope both you and your daughter are doing okay now.  And I am sure Chico thought he could have taken the bog dog, chihuahua's are amazingly brave.

Bonita of Bwana

I am going to again hammer on making sure that the dog was current on his rabies.  If the owner won't talk to you, get the police to do so.  Any opening in the skin caused by the dogs teeth can cause rabies, and rabies is almost ALWAYS fatal to humans, according to the sheets I was given from the CDC when I was bitten.

I doubt that the guy with the mace stuck around and gave you any info since mace isn't legal in most states, but if you see him again get that information and statement.

and, the heck with future lawsuits....this guy is responsible for any and all medical bills for NOW and the injuries should be documented by the hopsital NOW.

YOU MUST KNOW IF THIS DOG IS CURRENT ON RABIES.

   I'm glad you and your daughter are okay; Glenda is absolutely right; please, please make sure the dog is current on rabies!. As to the question of whether or not the dog was a pit; Jessie has been attacked about 6 times over the 9 years we've been walking her, and I've learned that if an owner blocks the attacking dog and firmly yells "No" each time the dog attempts to charge, the dog eventually gives up. At least it's worked for me, and although the incidents haven't involved pits, 2 of the attackers were German Shepherds. Do pursue this and make the owner pay for any medical bills, or it's likely that this will happen to someone else.

I am so sorry to hear that you were attacked, glad you are all okay and on the road to recovery.  Boggles my mind that someone would question you as to how much damage was done to you and your Daughter and if it was really a pit bull that attacked you!  Reminds me of a post I had about two dogs that surrounded April and me awhile ago and someone told me I was over reacting. lol they should have been in my shoes.  Again, I am so glad that you are both okay and that Chico is too. 

How scary! I'm so glad you and your daughter and pup are all right! And what luck that your neighbor jumped out to get involved! Regardless the breed of the dog, being attacked is a very scary thing! I'm so sorry!

auburn2932

Boggles my mind that someone would question you as to how much damage was done to you and your Daughter

I agree. I don't understand that at all.

Pitty or not I hope that dog gets taken away, human agressive animals like that should never be able to roam loose.