Talking with my son last night I found out that Tex, his American Bulldog, a 90 lb. bruiser of a dog with bulging muscles who is a real canine "dog whisperer" himself(kind of like Cesar Millan's late "Daddy" - and my only "grandson", who helps my son rehab canine behavior problems and socialize pet & rescue dogs brought to the dog resort/rescue where my son works), was attacked by a huge Pitbull belonging to a V.I.P., the dog outsizing even big Tex, whose head comes to my waist when standing beside me. Tex looks like a canine Mike Tyson!
Danny said the two dogs have been doggie buddies, been playing together and of course both are neutered but when another two dogs on a small group outing across the way were acting up, the Pittie came running from yards away, attacked Tex from behind, getting a "death grip" on the back of Tex' neck. He said Tex was standing completely still once his neck was being held & thankfully stayed still. Danny couldn't pry the jaws apart or off and the Pit wasn't jerking/tearing Tex' flesh or anything - just holding on despite a helper grabbing, pulling his hind leg, twisting his ears, finally even rendering blows to the dog's side & finally its nose & face as Danny moved to try to be sure he protected Tex' throat and neck from further damage should the Pit start to pull or tear at the neck. They tried everything they could humanely do without really seriously injuring the Pit but it held. Dan said he began to talk to the Pittie, calming him and his eyes softened, his ears resumed more normal position, he relaxed his body but the Pittie held on just the same, teeth buried in Tex' neck muscles. Finally, Danny said, he moved over the Pittie, pulled its collar up as near to its head/throat as possible away from the thick neck base and began to lift up. I think they call it "hanging" a dog, cutting off its air supply. The Pit let go and Danny was examining to him to be sure he was breathing and okay when Tex turned around and attacked the Pit!
They fought a bit as Danny moved in to grab & restrain Tex as two coworkers got the Pit but it broke loose & in an instant, the Pit had Tex by the back of the neck again, growling, holding with his teeth buried again but not jerking his head tearing flesh or anything, just the vice-grip. Danny said he had been holding onto Tex in restraint when the Pit broke from his handlers, flew over his arm from the backside and got Tex the second time, so he was temporarily pinned with his hands trying to get over as much of Tex throat as possible. He told another coworker get the Pit's collar again, move it toward the head and lift up, cutting off the air temporarily and once the guy did, the grip was again released by the Pit and the guys were able to corral the big dogs away from one another for good this time. My son says it's pretty clear the Pittie didn't want to hurt or try to kill Tex but he just
couldn't let go.
The big Pit was cleared by the vet tech but Tex saw the vet. After a full body examination, the back of his neck was shaved, his neck and 4 deep, 2 more shallow punctures cleaned but no sutures were necessary. He was given meds there and sent home on antibiotics, etc., rest and twice daily wound treatment and being seen in regular follow-up. The Pit is doing fine, breathing, eating/drinking/barking/playing normally with no hoarseness or neck stiffness.
The Pit is quarantined just in case but he's healthy, up-to-date on rabies, etc., so they don't expect he is ill - just being a dog and a typical Bully breed that will sustain an attack even when it is in pain & perceived peril itself. Tex was on 2 days of rest, his neck stiff, but is fine, wounds beginning to crust and back to being his "Daddy"-like self. Danny said when the Pit is "free" again & Tex' wounds fully healed, he will resume socialization with the Pit and Tex!!!
So if you are ever in an unfortunate encounter with a Bully or any type dog that holds a bite despite all other humane efforts to stop it, you might try lifting up on the attacker's collar or, if collarless, use a stick or something inserted under the dog's throat near the head & lifting up until its air is temporarily cut off to save the other animal or person. Pitbull fighters say they occas. use iron chisels or rods inserted in the side of the mouth to pry the jaws apart. It's just something I wanted to pass on as a possible severe injury/lifesaving tip in case of such a future attack that can't otherwise by stopped.