What do I do if a pitbull attacks my child or myself?

Answer 1

You call the police. They will contact animal control, but if there has been an attack, you will also need to file a police report. Animal Control will take the dog in question into custody until a full investigation has been completed. If the dog is found to be agressive, or proof that it has attacked is shown, it will be put down.

Answer 2

If the dog runs at large and you feel the dog is dangerous, report it to Animal Control AND the local police IMMEDIATELY, twice a day if you have to until something is done. No one should live in fear of going out their own front door or scared to let their children play in the own backyard.

I've seen a few answers saying "Shoot it". Well..... I hate to say this, but if you shoot it.... you better make sure you kill it. If you shoot the dog and don't kill it, the owner can sue you for vet bills
that can reach 5 digits. (out of the mouth of an Animal Control Officer)

If you've reported a viscious dog running at large and nothing gets done about it then it comes into your yard and threatens or harms you or one of your children, it's on record, (which doesn't help matters if someone gets bitten) and have EVERY RIGHT to protect yourself and your children. Report it as often as you need to (and keep your own record of it). Get with some of your neighbors and have them report it also. Sometimes one person continuously calling gives Animal Control and the locals the sense that it's just an angry neighbor.

I hope it never comes down to it, but if an attack occurs, beat it with whatever you can get your hands on and get medical attention IMMEDIATELY (911). When you tell them you were attacked by a dog, they will call the police immediately. They will take photos and record all injuries.

.

Answer 3

If a pit bull is attacking your child call 911 Make sure you tell the 911 operator First a pit bull is attacking your child or they will just tell you to call animal control if they think your just telling them a dog is loose. Grab a big piece of meat like a steak or out of container sandwich meat from your fridge yell at the pit bull and throw it the opposite direction of your child. When the pit bull drops your child and goes for the meat grab your child and get into something..house,car, large trash bin ,even if its not your own till police arrive.
Keep animal Controls number on your fridge along with all your other emergency numbers.

P.s Animal Control is closed in most towns on the weekends, especially Sundays.... Due to lack of funds to pay staff to work both Saturday and Sundays.

Answer 4

As probably everyone have said, call the ambulance and the animal control. But not all Pitbull's are mean. Yes, they are most common for the attacks but that's because people have trained them that way. If any dog attacks you, or any animal for that matter, call the hospital and the animal control.

Answer 5

A better question might be, perhaps....

How do I keep a dog from attacking my child or myself?

Never look into an unfamiliar dog's eyes. In dogspeak, you are claiming dominance and issuing a challenge to it.

If a dog is scaring you, feign an exagerrated yawn (opening your mouth very wide and looking away), and move your body so that you're not facing him dead-on. The yawn tells him to calm down. Moving so that you're not facing him tells him you're not challenging him.

Never let your child reach out to an unfamiliar dog's face. A relaxed hand reaching toward a dog (at eye level) looks like a mouth and teeth. Dog's don't have very sharp eyes - they're more keyed toward seeing movement than details. Keeping this in mind, turn your hand around and look at your hand as a dog would see it and you'll see what I mean.

Answer 6

Call police and animal control as the owner is responsible for anything the pet does. Pit bulls are not the only dog you should worry about either. All dogs can attack. I saw a toddler who had her face ripped off by a Lhasa Apso and in my area the highest incidents of bites were given by toy poodles and golden retrievers. Pitt bulls are more likely to attack if you are with another dog, as they were bred for dog fighting, not guard work. Their jaws do not "lock" but pitties are strong and stubborn and often will not release a victim. Corso Canos and other bull dog types also react this way.
The best solution is prevention.
Your child should be taught proper behaviour around dogs, how to recognize a dominant or fearful/aggressive dog and what to do if a dog shows signs it is about to attack. Often animal shelters offer this kind of training to kids. You could also call local vets and see if they know of any such programs in your area.

Answer 7

This was my response to a similar question:
First you should talk to your neighbor and get a mutual understanding of the situation, he will defend his kids and their pet while you will defend your family, you need to let him know that pits have a reputation and you just want him to know you are concerned. If his dog even makes you the slightest bit uncomfortable around your daughter you should call animal control and just let them know the situation, they should check out your neighbors yard etc to make sure that there is no possible way the dog will be able to get out. If you see the dog running around loose call animal control!!! I had a pit and when I gave her away once I moved she attacked a weiner dog when out for a walk (off a leash!), when I had her she never showed signs of aggression...dogs can attack with or without provocation, especially dogs that have inherited aggresive genes. And if heaven forbid the dog does attack you or your family CALL THE POLICE AND GET A LAWYER!!! The dog will get put to sleep but your neighbor must be held accountable. I hope this never happens to you or your family.

Answer 8

First of all, this is the stupidest question every wrote. Whats worse is apparently you found it necessary to reproduce and have kids. Pitt bulls, like all dogs, are not born inherently mean or vicious. Rotten people make them that way, and its wrong. But if any vicious animal attacks anyone, there is strict liability law, meaning, you can sue the owner (against their homeowners insurance) for the injury's. No person should own a knowingly vicious dog.

Answer 9

Do you believe that only pits attack people? I know for a fact that alot of other breeds attack people. I was mauled by a german shepherd when I was 1 1/2 years old. FOR NO REASON AT ALL! I almost bled to death. I was also bit on my leg by a black lab when I was 21 for no reason at all. I almost lost my leg due to infection. I am closer to pits than most breeds of dogs. Your question shows ignorance that alot of people seem to have about pits. IT ISN'T THE DOG IT IS THE OWNER! I have seen more good natured pits than other dogs. ANY DOG can be mean if it is mistreated.

Answer 10

You should sell or something if you fear for you or your child lifes. But if it comes down to it try to punch it in the nose and beat the mess out of that dog. But if you close to a knife or gun kill it because he will not stop. After that call the cops and clean what ever bites you have or else it will get infected. But if you get it from the right place then you have nothing to worry about!!!! And trust me there are way more tempered dogs than a pit!!