A really bad day -- attacked by a Pit Bull

[2Labs]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BichonLover Thanks for the update! How is Maya tolerating the cone? All dogs handle it differently -- my dog hated it. She wouldn't walk, eat, or sleep while wearing it. I think part of it was that she couldn't see peripherally and that made her anxious. Ended up getting an inlatable collar (looks like puffy donut) and she did so much better with that. Don't know how big Maya is, but if you do go for the inflatable collar, get one size larger than you think you'll need. Thanks for taking the time to keep us informed. My bichon is waving her paw at Maya, lol. :-)

As we're driveway boondocking it in the motorhome, we do think that the donut may be a better idea. The vet did offer this as an alternative, but its something that they don't stock at the office. We'll have to go to a pet supply store for it.

As we all know, the walking around room in a motorhome is generally pretty slim - unless of course you have a dream coach like an Entegra coach (someday!) - so we've already talked about heading out in a few days to pick one up.

Thanks for the suggestion, it sounds like a great one!

[2Labs]

Our girl Maya is doing really well these past few days. After her 2nd surgery the other day, she's up, walking around and in a generally happy mood. As noted in a prior post, the veterinarians did a GREAT job of closing up the wound.

Here are a couple of photos of their excellent work ... the scar looks a little gnarly, but should hide very well once her fur grows back in.

[bingo1492]

new to this site..am not to sure this will be allowed but not the dogs fault....BAD OWNER....in a camp ground , walking my dog and a pit bull came charging out with the owner screaming at the dog to stop but was late and broke the skin on my dog before the owner could stop him...not the dogs fault...I don't believe they are born vicious...they are taught that...like some PEOPLE!!!!!!

[John H...]

Maya's looking good there. Sure her fur will cover. Hope she heals emotionally as well...

[UFO Pilot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bingo1492 new to this site..am not to sure this will be allowed but not the dogs fault....BAD OWNER....in a camp ground , walking my dog and a pit bull came charging out with the owner screaming at the dog to stop but was late and broke the skin on my dog before the owner could stop him...not the dogs fault...I don't believe they are born vicious...they are taught that...like some PEOPLE!!!!!!

I hate to disagree but according to people that know the pit bull that attacked my dog, it had never shown any signs of aggression. He was 7 months old at the time, raised around small children and other dogs. This info comes from people who know the dog and the owners. As soon as the pit saw my dog, he was on her. The pit wasn't trained to be aggressive, something snapped at the time of the attack.

[2Labs]

We had our vicious dog hearing today and the result went as well as could be expected. As the hearing and results are open to the public, I have no qualms about stating the results here. The hearing was comprised of 3 members, the chief of police, a representative of the RI SPCA and a 3rd member from a neighboring cities Dog Officer.

The panel read the rules and regulations of the hearing, as well as the text of the statute and potential requirements should the dog be labeled as vicious. Each side is then allowed time to present their case and a verdict returned afterwards.

We arrived well equipped with copies of the police report, my statement of events, copies of vet bills and procedures and photographs. I was allowed to give my statement of events, followed by the DW and then our neighbors.

At the end of testimony the panel then began to talk about the potential requirements and came back with a 3/0 ruling that this was a vicious, unprovoked attacked and the following applies. The panel also came back 3/0 on the following restrictions:

- the dog has been labeled vicious and will carry this determination for the rest of its life
- the owners must maintain a $100,000 insurance policy on the dog and also list the city in the policy. This, like a bank that is listed on a car insurance policy, ensures that if the policy is updated or cancelled, the city is notified
- The dog must be micro-chipped
- A sign stating "Vicious Dog On Property" must be placed on the propery and be clearly visible from the street. The sign must state Vicious Dog
- The police must be notified if the dog is loose
- Any time the dog is off of the owners property (walks, etc), it must be leashed and muzzled
- The dog must be leashed or on a tie-out any time it is outside on the owners property
- The dog must be spayed
- If the owners move, they must notify both the current and new police departments
- The owner cannot sell or give the dog away
- The dog is not allowed to be present in any dog parks

What is important about these requirements is that a failure to heed them will result in arrest of the owners and potential criminal charges filed. These are not optional for the dog owner.

The requirements that were declined at this time are:

- a requirement for a six sided (top, bottom and locking sides) enclosure for the dog when it is outside
- euthanizing the dog

We were not asking for the dog to be euthanized and are happy with the results of the hearing.

Unfortunately the pit bull owners weren't completely truthful during the hearing and were trying to deflect the attack on Maya and myself saying that the pit bull did not come out and attack, but rather was sniffing around our dogs and then became scared and attacked.

Even with that false statement, the 3 member panel determined that even *if* that was the case, sniffing around another dog is not an act of provocation and does not justify the attack that happened on Maya.

The neighbors stormed out of the hearing as the panel was stating that the hearing simply was to determine whether the dog should be labeled as vicious and the retrieve the funds we have spent on injuries, surgeries, etc that it would have to be a civil matter or "we could just talk to the neighbors" - at which time they proceeded to walk out of the room mumbling derogatory comments towards us.

So next step ... a civil matter. It's too bad that it has to be this way and that they are acting as they are

[John H...]

Congrats to you. Sounds like it went the way it should have and hope the civil goes as well.

[JadedDancer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by UFO Pilot I hate to disagree but according to people that know the pit bull that attacked my dog, it had never shown any signs of aggression. He was 7 months old at the time, raised around small children and other dogs. This info comes from people who know the dog and the owners. As soon as the pit saw my dog, he was on her. The pit wasn't trained to be aggressive, something snapped at the time of the attack.

Some people just have no idea how genetics play a part in a dog's temperament. People thinking they are ONLY aggressive if raised to be that way are a hard group of people to convince.

I know better, as I know a bit more about genetics and the huge part they play in the personality of a dog. It is not all about genetics, but nature is a huge component. Nurture is only part of the equation. Anyone who buys a dog with powerful jaws without fully knowing their lineage, temperament of the parents, etc. are fooling themselves. Too many of these dogs come from backyard breeders who probably cannot even spell genetics, much less breed dogs for quality in temperament and health.

But again, you will find that it is like this convincing people of it.

[BichonLover]

Good job organizing your case AND researching the laws and policies prior to the hearing. As you proceed to the civil court case -- which I'm assuming you are -- keep your focus on what this whole experience represents. Not to overdramatize things, but your persistence in this matter will likely save another dog, child, or any defenseless being.

[ghoststories]

Glad to hear Maya is doing better and that things went well for you at the hearing. Wishing you the best in the civil court system.

[Bill WA6YBD]

Outstanding!

[jfran304]

After reading the original post I think your first mistake was taking Maya with you to introduce yourself to a new neighbor. I would never take one of our dogs to a new neighbors house that has a dog. If I wanted to introduce the dogs for some reason I would arrange to do it in neutral territory.

Jon

[Wolfpack Fan]

Holy cow what a tragic incident! I'm very glad Maya is recovering nicely and your own wounds weren't life threatening. There's a part of me that's mad as all get out and makes we want to say I'd have shot the dog myself. I wouldn't have gone and gotten a gun and returned to shoot the dog, that's just stupid and will result in getting arrested. I legally and often carry a concealed weapon though. I had to go to school, pass a test and a background investigation to earn the privlege. I am allowed by law to defend my life with it. If I had been in the same situation and carrying, the pit bull would have been shot with little hesitation. I would not have been arrested, though there may have been civil action to deal with from the owner. Nevada is a gun friendly state for people that are trained and use them legally.

Then there's the other part of me that's not mad, but just sad. I love dogs and the thought of Maya suffering needlessly breaks my heart.

My compliments on how you handled the whole situation. I hope the civil procedures work out well and to your benefit.

[2Labs]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfran304 After reading the original post I think your first mistake was taking Maya with you to introduce yourself to a new neighbor. I would never take one of our dogs to a new neighbors house that has a dog. If I wanted to introduce the dogs for some reason I would arrange to do it in neutral territory. Jon

Hi Jon,

I agree with you and we were in very neutral territory. We were both at the end of our side-by-side driveways ... I was no more than 1 or 2 steps out of the street. Their dog *was* in the house.

As I detail in my police statement, this was a very fast and unprovoked attack. Almost immediately before the attack started I looked up at their house and saw that the interior front door and exterior door were not fully closed and it was right then that their pit bull came charging out of the house and immediately attacked Maya. There was no indication at the time of our "greeting" that their dog was loose in the house or was going to come charging out.

We've done a lot of initial meetings with friends, family, neighbors and even other dogs - whether its with Maya, Brody or our former 4-legged friends, and this was a completely out of the blue attack.

Believe me ... if their dog was outside, or I had any indication it was loose, the meeting never would have happened.