My dog was attacked by a pitbull

[Fay Lang]

Let me start by saying that I love all animals and don't blame animals for their behavior. My daughter was walking our dog when a pitbull jumped out from under an outdoor cafe table where he was sitting with his owner and grabbed hold of my dog's hind leg and clamped down so hard, 5 people and the owner couldn't get the dog off my dog. Anyway, my daughter was traumatized by this incident and we immediately took my dog to the vet and paid the bill, which I sent to the pitbull owner who was so apologetic when we spoke on the phone and promised he would take care of anything he needed to. Four months later, no money, no returned phone calls and now I am left to take him to court, which is time consuming and tedious but I can't let this go. Any advice? Opinions?

[Heaven McClain]

well sorry to hear about that ! i would definately blame the owner not the dog and your right to take him to court over this matter ! Im the owner of a pit bull and i have to take full responsibility for my dog and that means whatever she does im responsible i consider her my daughter so what ever your kids do the parents are responsible. this is why the breed gets such a bad rep! but do what your doing yes the owner is responsible and should have to pay with intrest even if she /he had to make payment arrangements at least attempt to be responsible you know! well more power to you and please it's truely not the dogs it's the owners we train them and teach them. Sometimes these things happen unexpectantly though but the owners are still irresponsible in what they didnt do which was to take care of the bill! like i said for me and emmi both we're very sorry for what happened and i hope that owner pays for everything including pain and suffering!

[Joe Frazier]

I agree with Heaven, I would fully pay for the bill, even if it was in payment, which in my case it would be. My girl Dosha, growls and sounds mean when another dog passes by, but she doesn't hurt them, and when I tell her to stay, she does so. 5 people to get the dog off of yours was ridiculous also. My moms pit and my pit get into it once in a while to, which is why I'm now resorting to fencing my yard, but just the same, I can seperate my dog from hers. It is owners responsibility, and I am trying to get her to tolerate my mom's pit, and it's a every day process. Please let us know how things go, and follow through with the court. It shouldn't have had to come to this, I know I would have covered my own bill for it.

[WOLFSENT]

When you do go to court, make it known that you love pitties and you blame the owner, not the dog. That way you have your say, and at the same time you make it known that pitties aren't the monsters the media make them out to be.

[Michael William Shea]

Once a dog bites, it is very hard to take the aggression out of the dog. Has his dog bitten before? What was his explanation? His dog could of been scared of the child or has dog aggression.I certainly do not trust my dog with children, he is scared, and I am not sure if he would bite. I always keep him in control, especially around children.

[Chris and A'Sheka Jordan]

I agree with the other posters. I think that you should definitely sue him/her. They are responsible. Poor dog. Our dog has never done anything of the sort..he doesn't even bark. :) I can only imagine how your daughter felt at that moment. She is probably terrified of all dogs now. I hope this works out for you and your family. I hope your dog is better too. This is why pitbulls get bad reps! We always keep Chess under control. He is very strong..he was like that when we adopted him from the ASPCA..but we keep him under control.

[Fay Lang]

First, I want to thank everyone for their comforting comments. I have filed a claim in small claims court and am just praying that the pitbull owner doesn't lie. That is my only worry. Thank God my daughter was only traumatized over the mauling of our own dog and not afraid of any other dogs now. (She's 18). We didn't get witnesses because the guy was so generous with his information and promised he would take care of any bills we incurred. I am so naive. I believed him. Anyway, please put your positive thoughts with us on November 9th that it will be a simple case and this owner will pay us for our vet bill. Thanks to whoever reminded me to state how much I love pits because I do. I don't blame the dog at all.
Fingers crossed...

[Michael William Shea]

I am happy to read your forgiving attitude towards your neighbor and dog. I don't think that suing anyone really brings anyone the answer to any kind of problem, except paying the vet bill. I think that when a person wins the case it doesn't really bring the person satisfaction. I am not talking about you, but more toward people who's attitude is to sue everyone for everything. I do hope everything gets better for you, and goes well. God bless you. Michael

[Belles]

Let's hope that the next dog he attacks for no reason doesn't die because everyone feels sorry for the dog.

The dog should not be out in public if the owner can't control him or hasn't trained him properly.

I would not have been so forgiving, I'm afraid. That worries me. And no, it's not just pit bulls.. if it were one of my dogs who has done that, they would not be put back at risk. They would be retrained and refocused.