Pup attacked by pit bull......

[Gunner 7]

. At our local dog park a pit bull attacked Gunner and I had to fight him away with multiple punches and kicks. gunner suffered deep lacerations just behind his jaw. After surgery this afternoon he is doing well and will recover. Pit bull owner was very upset and will pay all medical bills. Should I take any further action??? This owner of the pit bull is a co fonder of a large non profit for pit bulls in our city. The pit bull viciously attacked our 12 week old puppy with the intent to kill. He was very lucky to escape without being killed. If my wife had had him up there alone, Gunner would have most likely lost his life, she would have not been able to fight the pit bull away. The Vet said I was very lucky I wasn't attacked because when pit bulls attack they don't stop. suffered deep lacerations just behind his jaw. After surgery this afternoon he is doing well and will recover. Pit bull owner was very upset and will pay all medical bills. Should I take any further action??? This owner of the pit bull is a co fonder of a large non profit for pit bulls in our city. The pit bull viciously attacked our 12 week old puppy with the intent to kill. He was very lucky to escape without being killed. If my wife had had him up there alone, Gunner would have most likely lost his life, she would have not been able to fight the pit bull away. The Vet said I was very lucky I wasn't attacked because when pit bulls attack they don't stop.

[markrys]

We feel so sorry to hear about your pup Gunner.Great job in saving his life .That has got to be the worst nightmare for us doodle lovers.I get the whole rescue thing but bringing a dog like that to a public dog park???What was he thinking and not to be watching his pit bull very carefully near a pup? As far as taking matters any farther, paying ALL vet bills is the very least to be expected.I just dont know what price to put on the trauma suffered by you your wife and gunner. Certainly it must be worth somthing. Just my 2pennys worth M&K

[browndog]

poor Gunner. That must have been traumatic. I'm glad she is offering to pay the bills, but I would somehow want some other reassurance that she would not be allowing the dog to go off leash again in the dog park. Maybe she has already decided not to allow the dog off leash already?

[Hays]

I am sorry to hear this, but glad to hear the owner of the dog will pay the medical bills. It is very sad that pit bulls have to earn this name. They are really great dogs if they are trained right and brought up right. Hopefully, the owner can train this dog properly and not bring back to the dog park. Good Luck with your pup. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.

[Nikkiey]

You are so incredibly lucky that the pit bull didn't turn on you or at least give you a few warning snaps! Hopefully Gunner will make a full recovery and have no lasting fears from this event.

I'm glad that the pit bull owner is willing to pay all medical costs (as they should) but as for anything further, that's your personal choice. It's a hard decision to make as to how far one should take this. Maybe meet with the pit bull owner and see what they are willing to do to ensure they safety of all dogs. It's one thing to tell someone what you want out of a situation, but it's a whole different issue for that person to follow through with your request.

Either way, don't hesitate to speak out about what happened to Gunner at the dog park, we are our dogs' voice and they rely on us.

[Moe]

I would ask a trainer how to handle this going forward. I've read that dogs that have been attacked can develop fear aggression and begin attacking other dogs. I'd try to do something proactive to make sure your pup has not been traumatized. I don't go to the dog park any more because people think they need to "socialize" their vicious dogs by letting them loose in a dog park. It is just not worth it. I'm so sorry this happened.

[jodysh]

OMG how awful. I'm so glad to see your baby will make a full recovery. Just terrible. I can't even imagine.

I stopped going to the dog park as well for that reason. My boy was ganged up on and I decided to stop going after that pretty much...even though he wasn't hurt it scared the crap out of me.

It's hard to say about taking things further than having the other dog owner pay the medical bills. Certainly I would suggest that person should NOT have their dog in the dog park at the very least. It's fantastic that he/she does the rescue thing I'm all for that and I don't know the whole story of this person or how long they've had the pit bull, but when you rescue a dog, especially a dog like that...if you don't really know their whole history... just sayin'.

[GordonDoodle]

I think in my area there is a muzzle requirement for pit bulls (not positive, would have to look that up). Reading this just made me very tense. Dog bites are very serious here, in fact homeowners insurance can be affected if you have a pit bull.

Next time it could be another puppy or a child? I have no answers, but maybe ask your vet what the repercussions would be if you brought this to the attention of animal control.

[deepnite10]

this is a very unfortunate incident..though the owner of the pit acted
approptiately after the attack..now id be more concern d whether this dog would be a danger to the public..

contact the local animal shelter, perhaps the police and find out whether this dog has had other biting incidence s..atleast have a report filed should this dog attack again it can be delt appropriately..

[Nologic]

I am glad your puppy is going to be OK. Having something like that happen is one reason I don't go to dog parks.

Yes, I would take it farther. Contact animal control or the appropriate authority in your area and find out what you need to to to make a report against the dog and the owner.

The owner of the dog is doing the right thing paying the bills, but being the co-owner of a rescue she should have known better than to take a dog that she was not 100% sure was non-aggressive to a park with other dogs. Also, she was not able to control her dog. She didn't stop the attack, you did. That is another reason she should not have been there with it. I know many people say pit bulls get a bad rap, but when stuff like this happens, it just proves they can't be trusted around other dogs. She is not doing the breed any favors. And if this dog attacked your puppy, it has a high prey drive and will attack others.

[lindamarie]

This just made me sick! I try so hard to give the pit bull the benefit of the doubt and then BAM! I hear a story like this.
These attacks occur more often than we are aware of. If YOU had been hurt, it would have been all over the news......but not your doodle.
The owner paying is great and is also an admission of terrible wrong on their dogs part.
You must file a report and get the attention of the community.

Last summer, a neighbor was walking her smaller mutt when a pit bull just ran out of the yard and attacked the dog. Luckily, her husband was with her and started kicking and beating on the pit bull which eventually stopped it. He too was lucky he wasn't a victim also.
The dog was badly hurt and required surgery as well. They all were lucky the dog survived.

Such a sad story!! Do all you can to make it right and not happen again!
Bogart sends Gunner a big HIGH FIVE!!