We just had a pit incident - HELP
my street. My dog Zeke went out to the street. My dog is bitten up, her one dog is bitten up. I did not see my dog bite hers. I did see her one dog bite the other. Clearly my dog left his yard, my fault without question. We felt horrible about it. Really horrible. We went walking in the neighborhood till we found people who knew where they lived. We went to the door to see if they were all ok. Nobody was bleeding anymore at her house. Her mother brought the bitten dog over to me and I looked him over. Then the other dog immediately jumps up and bites me on the nose. He did not break skin, but my nose is swollen. I am not concerned about me, but I am worried about my dogs. Is there a chance they can have my dogs taken away? She told me she works for a vet, and she is taking him in tomorrow. I am willing to pay her vet bills, but I never got the chance to say much before I rushed home with a bloody nose. I guess I am really shaken up right now and I am looking for some reassurance. I really don't know what to do. Do I do nothing and wait to hear from her? Or should I do something? I am on pins and needles right now. Like I said, clearly my fault that my dog left the yard, but Zeke did not start the fight, and I couldn't get the other dogs to let go. Anyone have any help or suggestions? Shellie |
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| Yikes. How did the owner take it? Was she pretty easygoing or do you sense that she's going to be a problem? I don't think you have to worry about anyone taking your dogs away. Depending on the area, that usually only happens if they hurt a person or kill an animal, like a pet. I think a lot will have to do with what the other person involved reacts.
I'm sorry that happened to you guys. Are your dogs ok now? |
| Tucker never got involved, good boy.
Zeke is ok, I think. I may go to the vet tomorrow though. He is not bleeding anymore. His ear has a small tear, and he has several punctures around his head and ears. He is licking his hind end near his tail nub a lot, and seems to hurt there the worst. He doesn't want it touched. The woman who was walking them seemed ok, kind of reserved. Her mother wasn't the nicest. She scolded us because it was our fault. I had already taken responsibility, since I went and found their house to make sure they were ok. I didn't need her scolding me, I already felt horrible. I'm sure she was upset too, so I let it go. For a split second as the dog was coming at my face, I thought, what if this dog holds on to me like he held onto Zeke...I may have racoon eyes tomorrow. (Did I mention the neighbors on her block are all afraid of her dogs? ) I just feel like I am waiting for the police to show up now... I really hate feeling helpless. Shellie |
| OH that sounds so scary! I wonder if the lady with the pit is as scared as you that her dog is going to be blamed. I hope you can work it out amicably. Sounds like you are doing everything possible to resolve the situation. I don't see why your dog would get taken (or worse) due to this sort of incident. It sounds very run of the mill (although scary for you since the dog would not let go). The fact that the dog bit you in the nose could be used as leverage (if necessary). But hopefully it won't amount to that.
Hang in there!! |
| I wouldn't worry about it too much. I think you handled it the right way offering to pay the vet bills and making sure their dogs were okay. How did they react when you got bitten?? You might want Vic to shoot a photo just in case...
I had a similar incident happen to my first sheepdog. We were walking down a rural road and I had him on a leash. Bounding out of the back of someone's yard came a Dalmation & a Lab. The Dalmation proceeded to lock onto Newman's head. The owners came running out from behind and took their dogs in. No sorries or anything. I was shaken up and when I got home I noticed some superficial punctures that I hadn't seen because his coat was long. I went up to the owner's house just to make sure their dogs were up on their shots, etc. They still did not even apologize and I was pretty angry about their attitude but I just let it go. The fact that you're being proactive goes a long way. I don't know laws in PA, but I would say your dogs are safe as long as a human wasn't harmed. If the lady persues it, I would say you might get a citation for your dogs not being restrained and that's it. |
Shellie wrote: This is what happened. A woman walking her two pits just walked down
my street. My dog Zeke went out to the street. My dog is bitten up, her one dog is bitten up. I did not see my dog bite hers. I did see her one dog bite the other. Clearly my dog left his yard, my fault without question. We felt horrible about it. Really horrible. We went walking in the neighborhood till we found people who knew where they lived. We went to the door to see if they were all ok. Nobody was bleeding anymore at her house. Her mother brought the bitten dog over to me and I looked him over. Then the other dog immediately jumps up and bites me on the nose. He did not break skin, but my nose is swollen. I am not concerned about me, but I am worried about my dogs. Is there a chance they can have my dogs taken away? She told me she works for a vet, and she is taking him in tomorrow. I am willing to pay her vet bills, but I never got the chance to say much before I rushed home with a bloody nose. I guess I am really shaken up right now and I am looking for some reassurance. I really don't know what to do. Do I do nothing and wait to hear from her? Or should I do something? I am on pins and needles right now. Like I said, clearly my fault that my dog left the yard, but Zeke did not start the fight, and I couldn't get the other dogs to let go. Anyone have any help or suggestions? Shellie sorry you had that incident it seams if the locals are afraid of there dogs they may have police reports about there dogs on file so you might be ok, to it might be a good ides to report this so if anything comes back at you you did reprot the incident with the details if ther dog attacked you and bit you after you went to there house to help clear it up and that happended i would be pissed trying to help and there dog bites you sheesh |
| After her dog bit you, it seems like it would be a poor move to rock the boat on her part, I would think. For the same way that she would want you to have control of your dogs, so should she-- even if it was in/at her home. I think you did the right thing to offer to pay the vet bill. Since yours and her dogs were hurt it's not like one side is walking away fine. If I were in the same position, I'd be glad that you took responsibility and tried to fix things. and just be glad everyone was ok. Of course, if it were me, I wouldn't have let my dog bite you.
How did everything happen? Did your dogs escape the yard and approach the pitts? |
| If I were in thier postion I would be pretty upset. If I were walking my dogs and some unleashed dog came over and a fight ensured....It is a good thing you went over and tried to make amends .....what else can you do? Things happen....
But right now I would think THEY would be more concerned about "thier dog biting YOU"...Geeez. That is a whole other story! They are probably hoping that you don't lodge a complaint against them! And the fact that there may already be complaints about the dogs certainly doesn't hurt. Take pictures of your wounds. In this area, if you went to a doctor with an injury like that it would be reported and the health department would be all over that dog, and probably confiscate it. |
| I wouldn't offer to pay their vet bills, I think you will have equal vet bills and equal responsibility, unless they want to pay for your doctor bills.
Their dog biting their other dog is an interesting bit of info. You might want to memorialize that somehow so that they aren't aware of it. Keep things friendly, but wait to see if they ask for vet bills, then offer to split their bill if you're feeling generous. Sorry you're going through this.  |
| I'm so sorry this happened, Shellie. How scary that the dog bit your nose and hope things go okay. |
| Well, Zeke is being very, very quiet. Totally out of character for him.
He is tender laying down and getting up. If I can get into the vet tomorrow I am gonna go. I am also considering going to the doctor. (I wonder if the vet would have a look at me  )
I am gonna have shiners. That part doesn't bother me, it's the feeling that the front of my face is sliding off that bothers me. It's giving me a horrible headache right between my eyes. The stress isn't helping either. As far as being fined by the township, I am ok with that too. I did have and unrestrained dog. I just don't want there to be bad feelings. I don't know this woman, but I live in a very small town and word gets around. I don't want a person anywhere thinking or saying bad things about me or my dogs. Zeke sometimes goes to the alley to play with other dogs when they are walking by. He has always done this in the "play" mode, and we are familliar with many of the dogs/walkers in our neighborhood. We have never had anything like this happen. Of course that is what they all say right? He left our yard to go to the street, even if it was only past the edge of our yard, so I am responsible. It isn't like when the dogs come into our yard at the alley, so it is different. Now if my next door neighbor hadn't ripped my invisible fence, we wouldn't have had a problem. I should have known to check after he mowed the lawn today. Again, my fault. I just feel so horrible about all this. Things happen, but this could have been avoided. I feel like such a rotten dog owner. Shellie |
Shellie I am so sorry that this has happened. 
Don't be too hard on yourself, things happen when least expected. Firstly I would write down all that has happened, secondly there is no proof that your dog bit hers, also put down in writing that you did see her other dog bite there own dog. It is only hindsight that this person has said that the injuries to her dog was caused by yours. So list down all that has transpired so you dont forget exactly what happened. Visiting there house and trying to find out what happened and the dog bit you, well!!!!! That says what nature the dog has, take a picture of your face and the swelling, injuries. You have that in your favour if these people get unreasonable in this dispute. Personally I think they have more of a worry then you, there dog bit a person and caused an injury. So if they are unreasonable in any discussion or want to hit you with an unrealistic vet bill, show them the pictures of you and make sure they see your doctors bills as well. You might also need anti-biotics as well if the teeth even scratched the skin. I hope Zeke will be OK, he does need to go to the vets as he will need anit-biotic treatment to stop infection. Hugs for Zeke and you. Stand tough on this, accidents happen and it is your word against the owner of the dogs. Reasonably each should take care of there own expenses in an incident like this, there is no proof that zeke bit her dog.  and some people can take a monetry advantage in situations like this and see it as a cash bonaza. So document everything and also take photos of Zekes injuries too.  |
| Thanks so much for the support guys. You can't imagine how much
that has helped. I guess pictures are a good idea. I hate to think I'd even have to, but I if I wait until tomorrow, I may not get good definition. Vic took some pics of my face, but they didn't get great. Unless you have seen my face unhurt, you might not see the bruises real well. I may have to clip Zeke in some spots to get pictures of the punctures. I really didn't want to have to do that. CMA I guess. Anyone think it's necessary to picture the blood on the porch? There were some spots in the street, but who knows who's blood. Shellie |
| Yes shellie document everything you can with photos, blood on the porch, spots in the street. Definately need photos of Zeke as well and the injuries to him.
Don't admit liability because you don't know who bit there dog. Just write down all that transpired and take lot's of photos. You don't know these people and wether they are reasonable sensible people or not. So you need to cover all aspects with lots of photos as well as all in writing as to what happened. If your face swells up more tomorrow then take some more photos.
Hugs and keep strong and don't panic  |
| Yes, never admit liability, chances are she is probably more worried than you and pits are known for it, she'll realise she's the one he has more to lose - try not to worry |
| Definitely document everything! Write down everything exactly how you remember it without putting blame on anyone. Think like a newspaper reporter and just put the facts down. (When you reread it with a neutral tone you might not feel so at fault.)
It also sounds like those dogs have a history in the neighborhood and precedence goes a long way. It also sounds like the one dog is protective of the other one and that could be where a lot of the fighting/biting comes from. He attacked Zeke when he was with the other dog, ended up biting the other dog and attacked you when you were with the other dog, hmmmm. You and Zeke both need to see doctors. If nothing else, call the vet and request an antibiotic. They should see him to make sure that the punctures don't run down between the skin and underlying tissue. You will also need antibiotics because dog's mouths are dirty. Like you didn't know that since they lick themselves EVERYWHERE!  You could have torn tissues or nerves when he bit you and that is why your face feels like it does. You automatic reaction is to pull away when that happens and if he has hold of you you may not break skin but you could damage the underlying tissue.
Carl was always kind of a fraidy cat but ever since he was attacked by the pit in Philly, he has been an absolute wuss. We have been working very hard at getting him resocialized and building his confidence and all but he is still very skiddish. Get Zeke out and about and make sure that he knows that this was a one time incident and everything is still okay. Let me know if you need anything since I'm right around the corner! Don't be so hard on yourself and don't make anymore contact with them unless you require compensation for your doctor bills. I'm also mean, callous and against any pit bull that even acts remotely aggressice so I would report your dog bite to the police. |
| Well, I am about to take more pics. There is no missing the purple on
my face today. The dog must have banged my nose just right, cause there is a light purple streak on each side of my nose running from the tear duct out. No puncture marks, thank goodness. Zeke is afraid of everything today. When we went outside he was hunched over like an old man and kinda just went in circles. He seems sore today, but no bleeding anywhere. He has the runs like crazy. Poor guy really isn't gonna like it when I wash that end again. I can't believe how traumatic this has all been. For something that only lasted a few seconds, it has us all out of sorts! Shellie |
| Oh, Shellie, I'm so sorry you're going through this! I admire you for tracking them down and ensuring their dogs were okay and for offering to pay their vet bills.
Please get Zeke and yourself to the docs!! |
| Pit bulls are forbidden in Norway, there have been too many accidents with them.
We have had kids that were killed in accidents. We can't register them with the Norwegian Kennel Club any more either. |
| Pit bulls are banned in Australia too for the same reason, death of children. The existing ones still here are now made to live in a secure enclosure, are de-sexed to stop them reproducing any more, have a dangerous dog collar and muzzle they have to wear when out on a lead in public places. Pit crosses the same too. |
| I just wanted to say I have nothing against pit-type dogs. I really
don't. I have read that the belief that they 'won't let go' is just a myth. I would have to counter that, from my and other's experience. Maybe it is the owners, I really don't know. I just think when you have a dog with that powerful a mouth, there are responsiblilties. (kinda like me keeping my dog in the yard )
Anyway, just wanted to let everyone know, I haven't heard from the police, animal control, or the woman with the dogs. I am certainly not counting this over, but nothing major has happened so far. I sort of wish she had come today and seen my dog and my face. I did find out that my neighbor witnessed the whole thing. He said, "Some dogs just don't like other dogs". I found that telling since they are not dog people, and he recognized that Zeke was going out to play with them. We have never had a warm fuzzy kind of friendship -they aren't that kind of people. Nice to know they are in my corner if need be! Anyway, so far so good. We will be ok, barring any contact from the owner or authority. Like I said before, my dog did leave the yard, and if I get cited for that, I am ok with it. (long as it isn't a $2500 fine!) Thanks so much for hearing me out. It is so great to have a place to go with such understanding people. Shellie |
| Shellie -
I'm so sorry for everything that has happened to you. My biggest piece of advice: get Zeke to the vet ASAP. I have dealt with puncture wounds before and they are not fun. Our previous foster came to us with puncture wounds the owner didn't know about. The wounds ended up having gangrene and it was VERY difficult to clear them up. Good luck and I hope everything clears itself up. Let us know . . . Mop Lover (Emily) |
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