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My dog was attacked by Seward Park area Pit Bull

Started 2 years ago by Puppyluck
Latest reply from ws4ever

Puppyluck
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On Friday night I was walking a Shepherd mix dog between Seward Park Ave. and Rainier Ave. and a White Female Pit Bull charged from her house and attacked my dog. My dog is very mild tempered and did his best to defend himself. The owners (who had adopted the dog one month ago) were useless in helping to contain their dog. They were afraid of their own dog and would not do anything but scream at it. This of course did nothing to stop it. I repeatedly kicked the dog which also did nothing. There were moments when they would stop but as soon as my dog would turn to run away this just started the attack again. This went on for at least 3 minutes until I screamed at the owner to get a leash, which they finally did. Then in another moment of stillness I screamed put it on NOW, which they did and the fight was over. They were both white dogs so the blood was very obvious. Shockingly, my dog was not badly hurt and the thing that really saved him was his size and his thick coat.
I was so angry and could not believe the ignorance of the Pit Bull owners.
I reported the attack to Animal Control and the owners were questioned. Animal Control offered to take the dog into custody but the owners refused as they said they wanted to breed her.
Here is were the story gets even worse.....
the very next day, that same Pit Bull attacked a One Year Old CHILD that lived in that same house. Yes, the owners own child was attacked and badly injured. The child is in ICU now and the dog was finally taken. That is the end of this very sad story but what I need to know is what can I do to defend my dog and myself if this kind of thing happens again ?????
I felt completely helpless during the ordeal.

Posted 2 years ago #
dhg
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Mace?

Posted 2 years ago #
Puppyluck
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I've heard with Pit Bulls, Mace can just make them more vicious. Do you have experience with this that you can share ?

Posted 2 years ago #
ToddinWestwood
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I am sorry. There seems to be alot of bad owners going around.

I am starting to lose faith in humanity.

Posted 2 years ago #
Puppyluck
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I really would like some dog fight advice, Animal Control could not help me and google info is very limited. It makes me want to get a big knife but then that would be considered a concealed weapon, right ?

Posted 2 years ago #
Carson
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Pepper Spray works great, but you need the Industrial Strength stuff. Its called Bear Spray. They sell it at REI, its not cheap, but its cheaper than an trip to the vet, $30. Still not sure? Ask your postal carrier, he has some on his waist.

Posted 2 years ago #
Puppyluck
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Carson have you personally used it in a dog fight?
Did it just stop them or make them run away.

Posted 2 years ago #
Carson
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I have never personally used it, but, I have seen it used on a bear. It works. I also know its what most postal carriers have on them. It actually will stun a small black bear who weighs much more than a large pit bull. You need the bear spray, NOT the human spray.

Posted 2 years ago #
Puppyluck
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OK, thank you, Carson !!

Posted 2 years ago #
Puppyluck
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So Carson, from what I read it's more of a FOG than a liquid type spray, is that right ?

Posted 2 years ago #
Lena
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Although I have not used one myself, I have had clients use air horns before with good success to prevent and stop dog attacks.

Posted 2 years ago #
Carson
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It shoots like 25 feet, but you don't need to actually "hit" the target for it to be effective. Its not a fog, like a bug spray, but close (think hand granade) is all you need.

Posted 2 years ago #
Puppyluck
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Good to know, thanks again.

Posted 2 years ago #
BBGuest
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I read about stun guns that make a really loud noise at http://www.beststungun.com/dog-control but don't actually know anyone that has one. It is a serious problem, I am so sorry it happened to you.

Posted 2 years ago #
BBGuest
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Here is another possibility DAZER II Ultrasonic Aggressive Dog Deterrent

Posted 2 years ago #
DBurns
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If at all possible - if a dog like a pit has a lock grip on something it can be effective to spray the dog with water, aiming for their mouth so that they have to release in order to breathe.

Posted 2 years ago #
Puppyluck
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The problem with this fight is that when there were pauses in action, the owners weren't doing ANYTHING and I wasn't about to touch Someone else's aggressive dog. Sounds like the stun gun would have been effective in this case.
Thank you BBGuest for the link to the site. I do appreciate all the tips that are being given.

Posted 2 years ago #
Carson
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Better yet...

http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/how-to-defeat-a-pit-bull-with-your-bare-hands/Content?oid=3708968

Posted 2 years ago #
Admiral935
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Why was Animal Control no help or were they how you found out about the child being attacked? Did you consider filing a police report, or have any witnesses? You might be happy with walking away and preventing another with bear spray (good idea). Me, I think the owners should be held accountable under whatever laws are on the books. Best to your pup.

Posted 2 years ago #
Admiral935
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Another idea contact Neighborhood Watch leader. I read about these folks since reading WSB but haven't met mine. Maybe they would like to know.

Posted 2 years ago #
LisaM
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Oh, I am so sorry, I know how you feel, it happened to me here in WS, 2 off leash dogs near Madison MS attacked my on leash dog and bit him. It was terrifying.
I worked with a trainer after b/c my dog became very reactive to other dogs after the attack and now we avoid other dogs and stay in parks/neighborhoods that are familiar.
So, here is a tip from the trainer and I have tried it, and it works, but...it may not work with a super aggressive dog bent on attacking, so the spray might be better, but here is the tip:
carry food/treats in your pocket and if a dog comes running toward you, throw the food at the dog and it will distract them long enough to get away. I actually threw a toy at an oncoming dog once and it totally distracted the dog until the owner could catch and leash it.
I hope that helps, but the spray might be your best bet...

Posted 2 years ago #
hammerhead
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I too am truly sorry for what happened to your dog. I have 2 pitbulls and they are not aggressive. I know I will never be able to tell you otherwise that it isn't the dog it is the owner.

You are right those people should have not that dog if they are afraid of it or can't control it. Not trying to make excuses but she was probably in heat. Do what ever you have to do to get the attacking dog off of your dog, I would have shot it no questions asked. I have been told the spay stuff works.

Posted 2 years ago #
flowerpetal
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These sprays sound good, especially the bear spray. I am curious if it could harm the attacked dog as well? And stun guns... if a pit bull has a lock on a dog and is stunned, does the other dog get stunned too?
How frightening. I understand why some people might not want to take their pooch out of their own yard.

Posted 2 years ago #
Harmonic
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Any update on the child? Poor little baby. I sincerely hope that he/she is ok. Now I'm going to have nightmares.

Posted 2 years ago #
charlabob
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I suspect it was a typo, but I think Hammerhead is right-- the spay stuff might help too :-) Seriously, these (blipping words I won't use in polite company) fools want to breed her? Is anyone else just horrified at the idea?

Posted 2 years ago #
JoB
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yes

Posted 2 years ago #
mom3
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My friend and her dog were attacked by another dog in the Gatewood neighborhood around 4 years ago (vet bills around $700). When it happened she was just stunned and wanted to get away so she left with her dog as soon as she could. BUT she was told later that she should have called the police at the time of the attack. Anyone know if this still applies?

Posted 2 years ago #
maplesyrup
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I'd like to use that bear spray on the owners.

They were going to breed it?

Posted 2 years ago #
guidosmom
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My dog was attacked (and almost killed) in 2002 by an off leash pit. After about 3 long minutes of the dog thrashing my dog around, and with the help of 10 or so people who came out to help, my dog was finally free. I couldn't stick around and find the owner, I had to rush my dog to the ER vet where he remained for 4 days. The vet was shocked he had survived. My vet bills were around $3,500. I called the police to report the incident and was told because the dog did not bite a human, they could do nothing. I reported the dog to animal control, but the dog was never found. This didn't happen in the city of Seattle, it was in Redmond. I hope the city has different laws.
Puppyluck - I am sorry this happened. I do not blame the breed, but blame the owner. That said, I will not go near a pit with my dog. It's too risky and brings back too many memories.

Posted 2 years ago #
hammerhead
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I got this and the other dog attack blog mixed up sorry, THIS dog is going to be put to sleep. just FYI

Posted 2 years ago #
JimmyG
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I legally carry a concealed handgun, especially when out walking my dogs.
Any dog that attacks my dogs will be shot.

FYI on the bear spray, be aware that it's just like any other spray device. If the wind is blowing in your direction you will get a face full of it yourself, as will your dog that's being attacked.
If you want to carry it, you might want to spray a small amount somewhere outdoors and walk through it so you can experience some of the effect ahead of actually having to use it in a stressful situation.
Some people can work through it, others are incapacitated. Best to find out early on which way it affects you.

Posted 2 years ago #
BBGuest
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Ya know... this might be my favorite!

"I legally carry a concealed handgun, especially when out walking my dogs.
Any dog that attacks my dogs will be shot."

Posted 2 years ago #
JoB
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not mine...
guns and public spaces are too often a lethal combination for the wrong target

Posted 2 years ago #
Puppyluck
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Wow, you all were so nice. I never heard how the child that was attacked, was doing. I never saw any mention of it in the news.
In this case the Owner as well as the Pit Bull were to blame. As they had adopted the dog only a month ago and clearly did not know or care about it's history. Yes, the dog was put down.
I did try distracting the dog with a treat but it only worked for a moment and the attack continued. The other problem was that every time my dog tried to leave the dog would attack again.
This is an experience I hope I NEVER have again.

Posted 2 years ago #
ws4ever
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Some people think they are safer with a dog that is feared by others. I had a renter who was a bit upset when I coached it to play more gently with my dogs, that playing was different from winning. She was somewhat upset by my doing that, perhaps thinking it diminished her own power. This should have been a huge red flag to me to anticipate other antisocial behaviors of hers. Live and learn.
How in the world did they leave the white pit bull close enough to attack their own child, when they knew the dog was aggressive? We have wonderful pit bulls at Westcrest, who have been socialized by their owners. It's a delight to interact with them. None of them have been aggressive with my dogs, and owners step in quickly to stop any problems. There are good pits!

Posted 2 years ago #
ws4ever
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Puppyluck. I hope nothing like it ever happens to you, too. You're right, it's never just the dog's fault.

Posted 2 years ago #