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How to Stop a Dog Attack or Break Up a Dog Fight Without Getting Bitten
By BL Ochman
Would you know what to do if you were alone and your dog’s leg was being ripped apart by another dog? After a friend’s dog was attacked in Central Park, we decided to find out and share what we learned with Pawfun Blog readers, hoping you never need to test the advice. This post is long, but it’s important reading that could save your dog’s life and keep you from being seriously hurt.
Pit Bull attack in Central Park
Texas has two drains in his leg, which is healing.
Although dogs are allowed off-leash in the park from 9 pm to 9 am, Texas was leashed.
Suddenly, an off-leash white and tan Pit Bull came “from out of nowhere” and attacked Texas. It locked its massive jaws on Texas’ leg and wouldn’t let go. The result is pictured.
Trying to save her dog, Elizabeth kicked and screamed at the Pit Bull, but it wouldn’t let go. She knew not to put her hands in the middle of the attack, but didn’t know what else to do besides scream and kick the Pit Bull – neither of which had any effect, and which only intensified the Pit’s frenzy. The owner of the Pit, a man we’re told is in his 80s, and a friend who was with him pulled the dog’s hind legs up, trying to get him off Texas, and that had no effect.
(Please note that we are not categorically anti-Pit Bull. But the attack that is the subject of this story was by a Pit.)
Thankfully, two park workers (“I wish I had gotten their names!” she says) pried the Pit’s mouth open with a steel rod from their truck and it let go of Texas.
Elizabeth managed to get her badly hurt dog to the vet, where he underwent immediate and extensive surgery on his mangled leg. That has so far cost $1500, and she has no pet health insurance. Texas has drains in the wounds; the dressing has to be changed daily, but he’s recovering.
She and Texas usually run a couple of miles every day, and up to five miles a day on weekends, so Texas is in great shape, which the vets says is helping him rebound.
Update: Nov. 28 – The owner and the Pit Bull were encountered in the Park this morning, on the path around the Great Lawn, near the East Side basketball courts – the scene of the attack on the 19th – and the dog still is not muzzled. This clearly is a dangerous situation, with another attack a very real possibility.
The massive white and tan Pit’s owner, who told Elizabeth he is 84 years old, is approximately 5’7″ tall, sandy hair, slight build, looks rather frail, with “sort of rheumy eyes” according to one person who met him. He had on a bright blue rain/wind jacket today with a hood.
Update Nov. 26: Elizabeth commented on this post:
“…Texas, … did not ask for the hell he’s gone through. Ultimately dog owners must assume responsibility for their dogs…and until the law changes where dog on dog attacks are a crime, we’ll all suffer from the few irresponsible dog owners with dogs who prey on the innocent.” Her comment continues here.
What to do if your dog is attacked or in a fight when you’re alone:
I always carry bottled water when I’m out with Benny. Sometimes he and his buds play in an overly rambunctious way, and it escalates to a fight. A quick squirt will startle them enough to break it up. It has also worked when a strange dog has come into Benny’s friends’ pack and they’ve chased the outsider. But Texas was not in a fight: he was attacked. Stronger measures were needed!
Water would likely be no match for a Pit Bull attack such as the one last week. So we asked Pawfun’s Holistic Dog Trainer, Anna Bettina Johnson, of Calling All Dogs what to do.
Anna says: Dog fights and even attacks happen. Whether we feel prepared to handle them or not, any time you take your dog somewhere other dogs are present you risk the chance that a dog fight or attack can occur. One important thing to keep in mind – dogs who are fighting and are interrupted will often re-direct. This is when people get hurt. That being said, these are the things that have worked for me in the past:
I understand that many people recommend carrying mace or pepper spray. I usually recommend a small squirt gun or spray bottle filled with straight white vinegar. Vinegar will sting when it hits the mucus membranes (eyes & nose), but will not cause any permanent or long-term damage to the animals. Usually it is enough of a distraction that you can separate the animals. [Pls note: If you elect to carry pepper spray, make sure you try it out in a safe location so you know how it works in the event of an emergency!]
If you are by yourself, I do not generally recommend trying to break up a dog fight. It is simply too easy to get seriously hurt. Scream for help or pull out your cell phone & dial 911. But don’t try to get in between two dogs that are intent on doing damage.
Elizabeth had no choice. She was in the middle of Central Park and her dog would have been killed by time police could have found her location. She was lucky park workers reacted quickly and knew what to do.
Other things you can try without getting yourself in the middle of the fight: If there’s a hose available, spray the attacking dog in the nose and eyes and hope it’ll let go long enough for you to get your dog away.
If there’s a fire extinguisher nearby, aim it at the nostrils and eyes and get your dog out of there while it’s startled..
How two people can break up a dog attack or fight:
Anna says “If there are two of you present (preferably the owners of both dogs), you can grab the back legs of the fighting dogs and pull them apart. (Like I mentioned before, be careful, the dog could easily turn around & come after you).
Ed Frawley of Leerburg Kennel (which is certainly NOT a holistic training facility) has a free ebook about dog fights on his site. Frawley advises:
• Never put your hands in the middle of a dog fight by trying to pull the dogs apart by the collar. You WILL get bitten, quite possibly by your own dog.
• Don’t scream. It just adds to the frenzy, as does kicking and hitting them.
• Each person grabs the back feet of one of the dogs and lifts it like a wheelbarrow. With the legs up, both dogs are pulled apart.
• It is then critical for the two people to keep holding the dog’s legs up, and turn slowly in a circle or even swing each dog slowly to prevent the dogs from curling back and biting them.
• To insure that the fight won’t start over, or the dogs come after you, one dog needs to be dragged to an enclosed place like a kennel or garage, or tied to a fence or tree.
Addendum: Incredibly, when Elizabeth reported the attack – by a dog who is still free to attack again – to the Police Precinct, she was told that dog on dog aggression is not a crime and they refused to write a report of the incident. This brings up the issue of how to change the law. We’re going to get involved in that battle, and we will keep you posted on progress in that area.
November 24, 2009
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48 Comments
RT @whatsnext: Pawfun Blog – How to stop a dog fight or attack without getting bitten – important to know! [link to post]
RT Pawfun Blog: How to stop a dog fight or attack without getting bitten – important to know! [link to post]
Important post w/ useful tips RT @Pawfun: How to stop a dog fight or attack without getting bitten – [link to post]
BL you’re the best to report on this horrible, totally avoidable accident. Yesterday I called the vet of the pit’s owner, Dr. Patrick Cotter, to advise him of my experience and to request he call the owner to strongly suggest he muzzle and leash the pit at all times. I hate to admit it but I’m a little scared to go back in the park knowing that this vicious animal could possibly be around, off leash and without a muzzle. I cannot believe it’s come down to this but I’m going to also call the pit owner to let him know I’m “packing” pepper spray and will willingly use it if by chance I encounter his dog again and he’s off leash and without a muzzle. I’m an animal lover but I’m a bigger lover of my dog, Texas, who did not ask for the hell he’s gone through. Ultimately dog owners must assume responsibility for their dogs…and until the law changes where dog on dog attacks are a crime, we’ll all suffer from the few irresponsible dog owners with dogs who prey on the innocent.
where in Central Park did this occur, and what is the name of the pitbull. we all need to aware. sorry about Tex.
This happened between on the path around the Great Lawn, between the Pinetum and the Basketball Courts. We don’t know the name of the Pit Bull. It is white with tan spots, and the man who owns it is in his 80s. That’s as much as I know about it. Elizabeth may have more details.
The owner’s name is Tom Fowler. He was out with the Pit Bull unmuzzled, but on leash this morning on the path around the Great Lawn. It’s an ENORMOUS pit and he very clearly could not control it if it wants to attack.
He has so far refused to muzzle it, or to pay the $1500 vet bill for its attack on Nov. 19th.
The real issue is that nothing can be done to force him to muzzle, or even leash, the dog. And that dog on dog aggression is not a crime in NY.
I am dreadfully sorry this happened to your dog :-( I LOVE PitBulls and Staffies so to hear of yet another, in the wrong hands and out of control is very distressing to me (not nearly as distressing to you though). However I totally disagree with the method of separation posted. Pits bite HARD and tear – all lifting the back legs in the air does is cause them to bite and tear even harder. For the best way to separate fighting dogs please watch the Dog Whisperer “Dualling Pitbulls” episode. Be warned it is hard going but illustrates perfectly how to break things up safely for you and with minimal harm to the dogs. Kisses to your dog for a speedy recovery. I’ll not comment upon how I feel about that old man in polite company.
Jackie – is that episode of Dog Whisperer online somewhere? how can one watch it?
Several people who are involved with Central Park PAWS and other organizations are meeting to see what can be done to make Tom Fowler muzzle his dog. The problem is that dogs, under the law, are considered “property” in New York, and that means either laws will need to change, or that Pit will need to bite a person before the issue is taken seriously enough. I just pray that it doesn’t hurt a child in the meantime.
RT @tomob @whatsnext just read your blog post about breaking up a dog fight – great advice [link to post]
@whatsnext just read your blog post about breaking up a dog fight – great advice [link to post]
Thanks for the article – I wish I read it before this morning when our papillion was attacked by FIVE pitbulls, none with muzzles, two off-lead in the lobby of our own building at the north end of Toronto.
I am so sorry about Texas and pray for a full recovery. Just yesterday, a pit bull attacked my beagle. We were at petsmart for a class, they were meeting and bam. The dog had a very tight grip on Benny’s neck, it was awful. I panicked and ran out due to the awful crying of my dog. both were leashed. Thank God my husband was with me. He grabbed the pit’s jaws (wrong thing to do) and wouldn’t give up , he punched the dog. Meanwhile the owner I suppose just like us didn’t know what to do, he just held on to the leash, pulling, and the pit had on a choker, which made it all worse, what felt like an hour was just a few minutes. Benny needed medical attention, thankfully he is ok, didn’t need any stitches, he is on antibiotics… I am also, very scared to walk, or take him back to the dog park, which he LOVES. I came on here to ask, How to break up a dog fight. I learned that I am ashamed of my actions. Running away from my 9 month old puppy. Shame on me…. Hopefully this will never happen again, but God forbid, I will have a grip this time. I pray for you and Texas
I am so glad your pup is ok. that’s so scary!
i hope our post will help if you ever need to break up a fight again.
they’re dogs, they do sometimes get in fights!
i always carry water with me, and if i see a situation that looks like it could escalate, i squirt my dog to get him out of the situation.
but your comment makes me wonder – if you were in a class at Pet Smart – why didn’t the trainers there help you?
BL
[...] which lead me to blog entries and forums filled with people with the same concerns. Thank you PawFun, Canidae Pet Food and The Straight Dope (LOL!) for the following [...]
[...] Source: Pawfun » Ask Anna your dog training question [...]
I’m so grateful I found this! We’re going to carry vinegar in a spray bottle–I’m afraid of carrying pepper spray or mace, in case it does damage to our dog. Poor boy has been attacked by a Jack Russell and a Boston Terrier, and for the record, the Pit Bull in our neighborhood is a sweetie, a good friend to our dog. So far, no damage except some lost fur. But scary! Makes me scared to walk the dog, and I’ll send my husband, more often than not!
My McNab bordercollie was attaciked by pit bull yesterday. She was on the leash. The pit bull came running across the lawn and started going for her throat and ears. I was the sole bipedal witness at that time. Others arrived later Would I have been endangering myself by kicking the dog? Should I have let go of Tavie’s leash to let her fend for herself? I tried pulling her away from the pit, but he kept following. When the owner arrived some five minutes later, he had trouble pulling his dog off.
What are my moral responsibilities to my neighbors? To my own dog?.
How horrifying! Is your dog going to be ok?
You would surely have endangered yourself, and perhaps further enraged the Pit if you’d kicked it.
[...] the few irresponsible dog owners with dogs who prey on the innocent.” Her comment continues here. What to do if your dog is attacked or in a fight when you’re alone: I always carry bottled water [...]
you need to stop scraping Pawfun Blog content right now.
This happened to my puppy yesterday… it was horrible, and the pitbull wouldn’t let go of her. My sister pulled her leash upwards, and then it turned on my sister, just like you said it would. I wish I had read this post earlier, it could have saved a lot of suffering, for my puppie and my sister. I love all dogs, but right now I’m finding it hard to love pitbulls…
so sorry to hear this. i hope everyone will soon be ok. i carry Binaca in my bag, and would use it on a dog who attacked my dog – just to get the time to get my dog away.
My Old dog 77+ in dog years was attacked by a Massive Bull Mastiff Cross last week , My dog is a small & loving Staffordshire Bull Cross, She was on a leash , the other dog was not … After 3 attacks trying to get from my car to my home I kicked the Mastiff where it really hurts & it ran off yelping ! , I would never hurt any animal normally but if your pet is attacked you just take action !! My dog is Ok btw
[...] Update Nov. 26: Elizabeth commented on this post: “…Texas, … did not ask for the hell he’s gone through. Ultimately dog owners must assume responsibility for their dogs…and until the law changes where dog on dog attacks are a crime, we’ll all suffer from the few irresponsible dog owners with dogs who prey on the innocent.” Her comment continues here. [...]
You know, just because something is not a crime doesn’t mean you can’t file a civil claim for those medical bills. A lot of people forget that – I have. Good luck!
BL so sorry about what happened to your dog. My two females, a pitbul and a Boerboel fought for the first time this week. They were badly injured as I wasn’t around when they fought, my brother was. He couldn’t handle the situation so the fight went on for at least 15 minutes. They’re both possibly pregnant so I think that increases the aggression. I’ve had them for a year and half now and they’ve always been fine until recently. I’m thinking of building a wall to separate them permanently. What do I do? I’m in Africa, south africa by the way.
That’s terrible, and I am sorry to hear it. Yes, I would think you should separate them permanently when you are not there with them.
I have just rescued a pitbull and brought her home. I have a Potcke and he is displaying jealousy and challenges the pitbull around food. I do not feed them together anymore. How do i break up an attack? Water doesn’t work, I have grabbed her hind legs, the back of her neck, the pit just doesn’t let go and I am scared she will kill my dog? Any other advice?
My other question was…should I not keep the pitbull? I don’t know if I should wait it out with the pitbull and the potcake? I am really worried another incident will happen. It has been twice, always around food, wether it is their feeding time, or the second time…i was eating and they fought…She is a beautiful pitbull, I think my potcake my be too aggresive for her…what do you suggest.
I suggest you contact the shelter and ask them what to do. Or contact a dog trainer.
I would not put my dog in danger. Separate the dogs right now and keep them separated until you get professional help.
My Shih Tzu was attacked by a Pit Bull in his own yard. He noticed the 3 dogs, barked and ran toward them.They ran toward him and right under the fence. At least one of the Pits bit my dog and shook him in the air like a rag doll. When my fiance ran at the dog it released my dog and went after my fiance. The damage was already done. My Griffin had been bit through his nasal cavity and they fractured his jaw. The Vet didn’t think the best animal hospital in the state would be able to repair his jaw as she said it was hanging on by a thread. I had to put him down before he died from the stress as he already had a serious heart murmur.
The law sees my dog as a peice of property in Michigan as well. No one knows what to do in this situation. Lawyers won’t take your case, but the courts cannot answer legal questions.
I am also terrified at the thought of this ever happening again and feeling helpless from putting a stop to it. If I wouldn’t have fell while running to my dog I know that I would have been seriously bitten. I wish that would have happened because maybe my dog would still be here AND I would have a course of action in the court of law.
It has been 4 and a half weeks since it happened and I am still trading off between not sleeping one night so I don’t sob my eyes out and then being so exhausted that I collapse when my head hits the pillow the next night.
I also blame myself: if only he hadn’t pulled the leash out of my hand runiing toward those dogs, if only I hadn’t fell while I was going to save him, and so on.
I feel like the only “child” I’ve ever had was slaughtered right in front of me.
How awful! So sorry for your loss.
Thanks for info and comments all! Have spent last few yrs defending dogs from destruction, and am now trying to learn everything I can about the damage created by ‘society’ abandoning the very animals which we once ‘owned’ for our self good!. Can you imagine a mother abandoning her child because he got into a fight?? Certainly not, and neither must society be allowed to destroy our ‘old guard’, the strong dog! Comments to my email please!~~and thanks for oppportunity to read comments!~Chris.
Sorry, forget ‘comments to my email, will make an effort to join discussion here!. (chaos lifestyle~~Mi capisce??)
I read all these posts and so many include the words “attacked by a pit bull”, and I can’t help but wonder: when will all the (mostly well intentioned) people stop defending pit bulls and claiming they are “just like any other dog”? When will people get honest about the breed–and/or informed about the breed. Until that day comes, we will keep reading stories about dogs and people who were attacked by pit bulls.
The facts contradict all claims that it is just the strength of their jaws, or people don’t know the breed, etc. etc. For example: (a quick search related:) “One 5-year (2001–2005) review of dog attack victims admitted to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia determined that pit bull terriers were implicated in more than half of bites. Of the 551 patients treated, the breed was identified in 269 case” .
I am sure this will make a lot of people angry, make many say the fault is the study (but there are hundreds! And the posts here seem to speak to the truth of how often pit’s attack and fight). Instead of taking “positions” pro or anti pit, it would be great if people learned about them before they decided to own one, and if those who have no intention to own ever one also learned about these dogs. Wonder how that might make things different and how many people might then choose not to have a pit in their home, neighborhood, city, etc.
I saw pit. Attacked dog and chancked off good amount of meat off from victim in last week at central park. Pit. Should not be off leash and only good trained owner should allow to have pit. So many stupid pit owner who doesn’t know how to train their pit. And waiting to happen. Other good dogs are victims.
wow! where in the park did that happen? What dog was attacked?
This past summer i witnessed what a pitbull can do. I have always loved this breed though never owned one myself. Ever since I saw how viscous this dog became when introduced to an older Golden Retriever I have been terrified of the possibilty of running into one. I have been a professional dog groomer for 26 years and had never had any fear of dogs whatsoever, but if one came after my little doxies they would never be able to defend themselves. I have seen so many pitbulls advertised on our local online ads that I wonder how long it will be before we start seeing them running loose in our area.
My neighbors have an extremely dog aggressive mastif/ridgeback mix. In my own experience the only 2 breeds I have ever seen or had problems with. He had a hold of my neighbors dachshund and was shaking. I have a Staffie puppy who was in the car, luckily, but I am concerned that in the future there will be problems as he is notorious for attacking other dogs and he is huge. I understand that he is probably bored and frustrated behind his fence and doesn’t get enough exercise or stimulation but unfortunately he is not my dog. My question is would a taser or such be effective without killing the dog or would it only be a last resort tool that would essentially kill a big dog?
Here in the uk pitbulls are banned thank god! Too many bites to children here so hence the ban.
I think some of these comments are really over the top! Guns! Tasers! I carry Binaca and I would use it to spray in the face of a dog that is attacking my dog. No permanent harm done. I am not a fan of pit bulls, but I am also not planning to kill any of them. Get a grip people!
That’s really never going to happen in the U.S.
If an unmuzzled and off leash pit attacked my dog, or (God forbid) a child, I would have no hesitation in killing the pit right there on the spot. And I would be doing society a favor as these dogs are ticking time bombs with oblivious owners. Sorry if this offends the “pits are loving dogs” crowd, but if a pit’s jaws were clamped onto my dog’s (or a kid’s) throat, I’m not reaching for a bottle Dasani or breath spray.
I have a leash reactive dog and I am terrified everytime I walk him that he is gonna bite the head off some unleashed dog that runs up to him. I carry a big stick, HALT spray and a small stun gun. Not sure the stun gun has enough power to actually knock down a pit bull and hope I never have to find out. I heard the police recently shot one that attacked a dog in my neighborhood. Good, one less I have to deal with. Main problem is that people think it is okay to let their little dogs run loose. I hate to see a dog suffer because it has stupid owners.
That’s truly horrifying. My dog also is sometimes leash reactive. I keep a Spray Commander collar on him – harmless to him, doesn’t hurt him in any way, but keeps him from reacting to another dog. he’ll walk right by rather than engage. might be worth a try.
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Pawfun Blog – How to stop a dog fight or attack without getting bitten – important to know! [link to post]
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