Sorry this is a long post but I thought it was important to provide a lot of details. I've been a wsb reader since 2005 and I really care about my community so I wanted to let my West Seattle neighbors know that I was bitten by a pit bull today at a park near Highpoint.
The pit bull started to bark at our family after a few minutes of us arriving at the park so we decided to leave. Two women were sitting with the dog at a bench about 50 feet away (the play structure was between us). We never got very close to the dog and the dog appeared to be restrained somehow but broke loose and charged me and my elementary school age children as we were walking to our car which was just a few feet away. I sensed the pit bull was coming for us and my first thought was to lift my child above my head but my son cried out and instinctively ran. I turned to see a pit bull running full speed and barking at us. I must have said "hey" or something to the dog and fortunately, when the dog was about 5 feet away, he/she turned and charged me. All that was going through my mind was to keep the dog away from my family. I wanted to give my children and wife time to get in the car that was just a few feet away. I was so thankful the dog had come at me and left my son alone. As I was being bitten, I remember looking down at the dog to see if he/she had a collar I could grab onto but I don’t think there was one.
The dog did that typical attack where they grab on and shake the hell out of whatever they are biting.. The dog let go after 15 seconds or so I think because it heard orders from its owner who was playing basketball about 100 feet away to the south of the park. The owner saw what was going on or heard the women who had the dog moments before and ran over to say that it's ok, it’s ok! And that his dog liked kids. I let him know that his dog just bit me. He didn't believe me and asked me to show him, so I did. Upon seeing the bite and blood and bruising starting to appear, he struck and swore at the dog and started to walk away... Not even a sorry from him.
My family and I were in shock and just wanted to get our kids away and in a safe place. I didn't think to order this guy to stay here or ask about whether the dog had his shots, etc.
I had dialed 911 as he was running over and I think he knew this so he fled. I was tended to by the fire department. Seattle Police showed up and animal control to take statements. SFD and SPD were there in about a minute. These professionals are amazing! I am in my 40’s and have thankfully never had to call 911 for an injury to myself. The dog owner was walking west on Morgan/Sylvan as we waited for the 911 response.
Per the Fire Department paramedics, I saw my family doctor and got a tetanus shot, got put on antibiotics, etc. We are shook up but ok.. I am glad that the dog came after me and not my child or both children. Pit bulls have killed or maimed children and adults in the past. I don't have the supporting links but it has been in the national media over the years.
Watch out for dogs and/or pit bulls! Do not put yourself or your family at risk. In our case, the dog just came after us and I would hate to see this happen to another person or family pet. Don’t assume the handler can control the animal. I can’t stress this enough, don’t think or hope that something wont happen.
After this happened I remembered reading something on this blog within the past 6 months or so about another incident at Highpoint.
The incident occurred at 2:00 PM on July 12 at a park near High Point, the park was near SW Graham and 31st SW.
The dog was dark brown or black and it may have had some white color on it.
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