I just pray for Karma...and of course Lucy's well-being.

I just hate this. Poor Lucy. I can only wish for her speedy recovery. Clearly, the wound is vicious. Sounds like Lucy is being a real trooper about it.

I live on the edge of a lovely small park am done would think that would be so nice to walk the trails with their dog, however, the number of off leash dogs totally ruins the whole thing. After several close calls -- let me back up and say I live in "cop land" - every 3rd or 4th house has a patrol car in front of it -- one of my police neighbors took me to get a police style taser and made a little belt for it to hang on.

I have only had to use it once in three years and it was a comical Keystone Cop affair with the big dog knocking me as I'm trying to hold Cali up in the air, and then even knocking down his owner -- bottom line it ended up with the owner getting tased -- did you know people pee themselves when they are tased!!!
In answer to my screams half the neighborhood police force showed up to untangle all of us. The local officers are still laughing about it. Personally, I did not find it that funny!

These little dogs are not able to protect themselves from those off leash dogs and the penalties need to be more stringent.

I hope you are able to do something in small claims court. Take care of Lucy and keep us posted how she is doing. This could have been an elderly person or a child as well as Lucy or your smaller dogs.

I share your outrage:D

So sorry this happened to you and sweet Lucy. It's just a shame when you don't feel you can walk your own dogs minding your own business and feel safe doing so. Sending positive thoughts your way as you work through this.

She looks so much better, and I'm happy to hear she still has a little pep in her step. I've been following along with you since day one of this incident. (Remember the lame Star Trek reference :rolleyes: :p)
At the very least, all of Lucy's vet bills need to be paid by that person in full.

I am so sorry to hear about Lucy's attack. I can only imagine your frustration with Animal Control. I too, am amazed at their lack-luster approach to everything. As someone else mentioned, the dog should be at animal control under quarantine.

I wish you luck at court as well. I went through a small claims lawsuit a few years ago and it took me forever to get my money back...and I was suing my landlord, a supposed "businessman"....and I had to wait almost a year to get my money back from him. If someone isn't willing to pay up, it's a pain trying to get it through other means and it can take FOREVER to get it...with many trips to court.


I think it SUCKS that you can't sue for pain and suffering for your animal BTW...because they are considered "property"!!!


I can't believe all of the dog attacks I've been hearing about lately...I guess since it's spring and it's nice out...but geesh....it scares me. Too many idiots owning big, powerful dogs that they have NO BUSINESS owning!! You have to take a class and have a licence to have a hand gun. It's too bad they don't make people take a class on how to successfully own and take care of a pit bull. A county north of me won't even adopt them out....every bully breed that ends up in animal control or the humane society gets put to sleep there. i don't like the fact that they put to sleep every pitbull type dog up there....because friendly dogs get put to sleep too...but it doesn't even make a dent in the homeless pitbull population here. There are more pitbulls in shelters, on petfinder etc etc than any other breed....the overpopulation of them is an epidemic across the country.

Im so sorry, I hope she heals up soon, and they do something to that butt head, I hate retractables, they dont give you any control especially on a big dog

How's Lucy doing? Poor baby is going through something she shoundn't be... I'm glad you and your other two furbies are ok though. Please give Luch a big hug and a kiss for me.

I'm so sorry you and Lucy must deal with this.

Oh this just broke my heart! Poor sweet Lucy. I am so sorry to hea about this sad and frustrating situation you both have to deal with. I remember you had to deal with a similar incident with an off leash dog in which you were barely able to keep everyone safe, I wish there were better protection for you and your dogs in your area. Argh animal control!

Mike, I am so sorry about poor Lucy's attack. It is ridiculous that animal control is not doing a better job in supporting you, but I hope you keep moving forward, go to court, use media, whatever it takes to get some justice and see that that dog is now allowed to hurt anybody else.

You are all scarred for life because of this horrible event, and I am so sorry that walking will never be what it once was before this. It will always be on your mind, and it is so unfair.

Sending healing thoughts and prayers for Lucy to recover.

Mike , I'm sorry that you and Lucy had to go through all of this, but thankful it wasn't your poor little Yorkies but they must have been terrified ! You may well have to take him to small claims court to get any money , I know it's not about the money but at least if he has to go to court over this it may get an order of some sort on the dog.
It may also help if he does this again , he may already have and just no one has reported him or followed it through.
Hope Lucy is on the mend and good luck with everything.

While I'm not a big fan of pit bulls I have met a few sweet ones. That being said I still avoid them whenever possible.Definitly will not let my little ones around them, no matter how sweet.
Most of the time I blame the owner. If you can't or won't control such a powerful animal you have no business ever owning one. It's a shame to see so many in shelters, just like chihuhaua's but until there is a way of enforcing the law what can you do. Our county law requires us to neuter and spay and to microchip our dogs but if they get caught (the dogs) nobody claims them and very rarely can you prove who the belong to. They only go after the dog if it bites.The shelters say they havent't the manpower to go house to house but what of volunteers? I'm not advocating turning someone in for too many dogs as long as they're well cared for but why can't you just say "Hey, we just need to see your spay/neuter certificate. "
I do hope Lucy recovers and you get your vet bills paid. It's the right thing to do. Usually people respond when it hits their wallet. I have a 13 year old golden and know how precious they are. They deserve to live their last years pampered and in peace.

Just now reading this so sorry and it makes me sick to think of poor Lucy having to endure the pain & shock of this..I guess there will always be idiots out there..
glad she is on the mend

I feel so sorry for Lucy having to go through this. You would think you would be safe walking down a street minding your own business. Hope the owner of the other dog gets what's coming to him.

Mike, I am so sorry that Lucy has had to go through all this. I admire how you figured out who the person was on FB and that man obviously does not know a thing about being a pet owner (not enough bad words in the world to describe this idiot). I walk three dogs all the time, so you have really made me think about how in the world I could protect them if something like that happened. Love the umbrella idea and maybe even the taser, if absolutely necessary like it was for Jay.

You have such a right to be angry and hope things get settled quickly and you get some justice.

I am so sorry about Lucy. I got attacked with my 12 lb yorkie girl. A guy was out with his American Bulldog. He had his leash in his hand. I saw the dog and I knew I was in trouble, he came running towards me. I picked her up and held her tight to my body and turned my back to the approaching dog. The owner is running and screaming at his dog. The dog ripped her out of arms and pinned her on the ground. He had her head in his mouth. I am screaming and crying while the owner is trying to pry the dog's mouth open. His fingers are bloody and torn from his dog trying to bite down. He could have punctured one of her eyes or worse yet crushed her skull. I am screaming and a neighbor came over and took a stick and pryed the dogs mouth loose. I called the sheriff right away an they came out. He called animal control. The dog was immediately quarantined and it was my choice to have the dog put down because of the attack. I ended up not doing it because the owner told me I would never see him walking his dog again. He paid the medical bills which was just a couple of puncture wounds thank God. It changed me. I don't walk my dogs anymore around areas where I will run into stray or dogs. It's a shame that people don't respect each other's space. I never saw him again, he kept his word.


I would go higher up if you are not getting the response you should be getting. Keep calling and let them know that you are not going away. Good luck. So glad it wasn't one of the yorkies, tho.

I am so very sorry to hear about Lucy and how this has taken away your enjoyment and sense of security walking your dogs. Getting the photo with the tattoo was such a brilliant idea. I pray you all heal from this and that you are able to stop him from hurting another innocent animal and person.

This is still bothering me!!! I can't seem to get over it

When you go to court I would dwell on the fact that you had your dog(s) well under control and he did not. I would. Look up the laws regards in leaching and dog control and dwell on that, as well as she was clearly attacked from behind.

I would also point out (from the pictures) that the attack Lucy got would have killed either of your other dogs that were with her.

Hey I'm ready to contribute to hiring a forensic expert on this!

How is Lucy doing today?

Oh my gosh, Mike - how horrible!! I can't imagine how scary that must've been. I'm so very sorry Lucy was injured, that poor kiddo. I'm glad she is on the mend. :love:

I'm pretty disgusted w/ how animal control is handling this :mad:.

Hey Mike! Glad Lucy is healing and on the mend. I think your background and experience in training Eddie and Jillie will speak volumes in court along with their titles/awards/accomplishments. As Lucy lives in the same household, I would find it very odd that she is not trained in at least basic obedience... what I'm trying to say is that people who train their dogs would train all of them and not just let one run amuck.


Also, your involvement in the 'Little Dog Meet-ups' and all the pics you have prove that your dogs are well mannered and know how to socialize with others. Also I'm sure you have many friends that can vouch for you being a truly responsible dog owner.


Consider taking suit against AC for failure to protect the public by not doing their job, further putting people and pets at risk from this owner and his dog....


Best of Luck ... would a letter writing campaign help your cause? Let us know.

Mike I am so upset by this, and wish we could all help in some way. If a flood of letters, emails, phone calls, Facebook postings directed at AC or the guy with dog would help in any way, just tell us where to send. There is a whole army of supporters here for you and your precious fur kids.

Amen to that!

Oh my goodness, this is horrible! I am so glad that Lucy is okay, but what a horrific experience :(

It reminds me of when my female was chased around the cul-de-sac by an off leash large dog, screaming for her life... and the owner had the audacity to yell at us and threaten to assault us. Just shows how irresponsible people have trouble taking ownership of fault.

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Wow. Thanks for the outpouring of support. It really means a lot.

I'm not against pit bulls. Eddie and Jillie have played with sweet ones their whole lives. But, as others have said, I am wary of pit bulls because so many people don't raise and train them properly.

A friend's husband is a lawyer, and he's going to review my case and advise me on how to move forward in small claims court. It will probably cost me more in time to do this, but I refuse to let this person and dog off the hook. The next time, it could easily be a child.

Thanks again. She went to the Little Dog Meetup again today and had a blast!

I also am not a fan of PB's, but as said above it's more the owners fault, control wise. But also PB's, Dobies, Rotties and other large dogs tend to also draw jerks and gangbangers (Actually there's no difference between them) to fluff their image, they usually abuse them thinking it will make them meaner.

I am reading this while waiting my turn in a business chat queue, so I have only read your initial post and looked at the pix, but...OMG...poor Lucy! I am so sorry, and I hope Lucy is okay and that you are successful in getting justice for sweet Lucy. There was no reason this should have happened, but since it did, and you and Lucy have paid steep prices already...it is high tme for some responsibility from the attacking dog's owner. Hugs...and I will read the rest of your thread, hoping to read of your success.

Mike, I am so sorry you and Lucy are going thru this. I do hope
you get justice. So many irresponsible dog owners. It makes it
difficult for the rest of us.

As if being attacked wasn't enough, you also have to deal with the owner who is a lying idiot, and animal control that won't do their job! I really feel awful for poor Lucy and your whole family. This attack has taken something from each of you that you can never get back--it will always be in the back of your mind when you're out walking with your pups. It's just so wrong that this happened. I really hope that the owner's life changes as much as he has changed yours! Keeping Lucy and your family in my prayers.

Thinking about you and Lucy...good luck pursuing justice. Maybe we all should start a petition...who knows, with enough backing maybe someone will take notice.