What to Do If a Pitbull Attacks Your Dog

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Posted Nov 6, 2024

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Selective Focus Photo of Pitbull
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If a pitbull attacks your dog, your priority is to protect both animals and get them to safety as quickly as possible. This can be a traumatic experience, but staying calm and thinking clearly can help you make the right decisions.

Pitbulls are powerful animals, but they can be deterred if you use the right techniques. For example, making a loud noise or using a citronella spray can help distract the pitbull and give you time to separate the animals.

In the heat of the moment, it's easy to get caught up in the situation, but try to remember that pitbulls are often motivated by fear or territorialism rather than a desire to hurt your dog. This can help you respond in a more effective and less aggressive way.

The key to safely separating the animals is to use a barrier, such as a fence or a gate, to keep the pitbull at a safe distance while you retrieve your dog.

Understanding Pitbull Attacks

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Pitbull attacks can be a frightening experience, especially if your dog is the victim. Dominance Aggression is a type of aggression that can lead to biting, often directed at family members.

This form of aggression is triggered when something is taken from the dog or the family member interacts with the dog in a way that's perceived as threatening. I've seen it happen with dogs that are overly protective of their food or toys.

Defensive Aggression is another type of aggression that can lead to biting, and it can be directed at family members or strangers. It occurs when the dog is afraid and approached too quickly.

Pitbulls, like any other breed, can exhibit Territorial Aggression when strangers approach their home or yard. This type of aggression is a natural defense mechanism.

Punishment Elicited Aggression is a type of aggression that can lead to biting, often as a result of yelling or hitting the dog. This type of aggression is a clear warning sign that the dog is feeling threatened or scared.

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Here are some common triggers for Pitbull attacks:

  • Dominance Aggression: when something is taken from the dog or the family member interacts with the dog in a way that's perceived as threatening.
  • Defensive Aggression: when the dog is approached too quickly.
  • Territorial Aggression: when strangers approach the home or yard.
  • Punishment Elicited Aggression: when the dog is yelled at or hit.

What to Do During an Attack

If a pitbull attacks your dog, your priority is to protect your pet and yourself. This often means getting out of the situation as quickly and safely as possible.

Pitbulls are powerful and can cause serious injury, so it's essential to be aware of your surroundings and the pitbull's behavior. If you're in a public place, try to get your dog to a safe location, such as a nearby store or a car.

If the pitbull is attacking your dog, try to distract the pitbull with a loud noise or a thrown object, as stated in the article section. This can give you and your dog time to escape.

What to Do with a Dog

If you see a dog attack, your priority should be to keep yourself and others safe. If you're out walking your dog and another dog escapes, be prepared to act quickly.

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To break up a dog fight, don't try to use your bare hands. Instead, pour water from a water bottle over the dogs' heads or use a hose to wet their body, being careful not to point the hose at their mouth.

Keep calm and focus on the dogs' health. If your dog is the victim or perpetrator of a dog attack, have them seen by a vet immediately.

Dogs produce a lot of pressure when they bite, with an average force of 230-320 PSI, compared to humans at 120-140 PSI. This can cause significant internal crushing damage, even with small punctures.

Here are the key steps to take if your dog is involved in a dog attack:

  1. Have your dog seen by a vet immediately
  2. Keep calm and focus on the dogs' health
  3. Don't try to break up the dog fight with your bare hands
  4. Pour water from a water bottle over the dogs' heads or use a hose to wet their body
  5. Be careful not to point the hose at the dogs' mouth

Harris' Survival

Harris the 6-year-old poodle x was out on a walk with his family on a lead when another dog playing ball ran up behind him and bit him on the back.

His owners couldn't find any serious wounds or bleeding, but Harris was in pain, so they rushed him to Animal Emergency Service Tanawha on the Sunshine Coast.

Pitbull Playing with Ball on Meadow
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The vets examined Harris and soon realised that the dog bite had punctured the chest cavity, causing several broken ribs.

Harris' owners were lucky to catch the severity of the situation early and rushed him to the vet immediately.

If your dog has been in a dog attack, contact your closest Animal Emergency Service hospital or your local vet immediately.

Aftermath and Treatment

If your dog is attacked by a pitbull, it's crucial to get them medical attention right away. Attend to any wounds as soon as possible, and perform basic first aid procedures to prevent infection.

The vet will likely perform a physical exam, administer pain relief and antibiotics, and possibly start life-saving interventions if there's significant trauma. Surgery may be required to assess the extent of the injuries, debride and decontaminate the wounds, and close them if possible.

If the vet is concerned about internal injuries, they may perform imaging such as x-rays and ultrasound. In severe cases, a blood transfusion may be required. Keep in mind that puncture wounds can be deep and lead to organ damage or internal bleeding, so emergency surgery may be necessary.

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Documenting the bite wound is also important, so take photos early and regularly to track your dog's recovery. This will help you and your vet monitor the healing process and make any necessary adjustments to treatment.

Remember, even minor bites can cause infection, so it's essential to get your dog seen by a medical professional as soon as possible. Don't wait – the sooner you get treatment, the better chance your dog has of making a full recovery.

Broaden your view: Dog Hives Pitbull Treatment

Handling the Aftermath

Immediate medical attention is crucial after a dog attack, as even minor injuries can cause serious infections or scarring.

Pitbull bite wounds can lead to real diseases or permanent scarring, so don't hesitate to seek treatment right away.

A medical professional will clean and, if necessary, close up the wound to prevent infection and scarring.

Pitbull bites can also allow disease-causing microbes and MRSA bacteria to enter the wound, which can be life-threatening if not treated properly.

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You should inform your doctor about the attack so they can treat the wound accordingly.

If you're bitten, take care of the wound immediately and perform basic first aid procedures.

Basic first aid for dog bites includes attending to any wounds as soon as possible and preventing infection.

Call the police and animal control immediately after a dog attack to determine if the attacking dog has rabies or a history of aggression.

If you were bitten by an unknown dog, a dog that was later found to have rabies, or a dog that appeared to be foaming at the mouth, see a doctor right away to get preventative treatment for rabies.

Here's a quick checklist to keep in mind:

  1. Attend to any wounds immediately.
  2. Call the police and animal control.
  3. See a medical professional to get vaccinations and dressings.

Bite Wound Documentation

Documenting your bite wound is crucial for tracking your progress and providing evidence of the injury. Take photographs early and regularly with a phone or whatever you have available.

Photos can't replace the actual experience, but they can give a clear picture of the wound's severity. Nothing demonstrates the degree of what you've persevered through like photos archiving the wounds from the earliest stage through the whole healing process.

Photographing your wound regularly can help you keep track of its progress and identify any potential complications. Words generally can't do a picture justice, so it's essential to capture the wound's condition at different stages of healing.

Liability and Responsibility

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If a pitbull attacks your dog, the first thing to consider is who's responsible for the damages. Homeowners insurance usually covers dog bite injuries, but there may be exclusions in their policy, so it's essential to check.

You can also sue the landlord if they knew or had reason to know about the aggressive dog living on the property. If a child's dog bites someone, the parents are responsible for the attack and injuries.

If you're dealing with a dog attack, it's not your veterinarian's place to get involved in any dispute about payment for treatment. The responsibility for the vet bill falls with the owner of the dog that has been treated.

Here are the parties that can be held liable for a dog attack:

  • Homeowners: Their insurance usually covers dog bite injuries, but may have exclusions.
  • Landlords: If they knew or had reason to know about the aggressive dog.
  • Parents: If a child's dog bites someone.
  • Dog owner: Regardless of the circumstances, the dog owner is ultimately responsible.

It's essential to seek legal advice from a lawyer who understands the "One Free Bite Rule" and the issues surrounding it.

Why Humans Judge Humans

Humans judge humans for a variety of reasons, often rooted in animalistic instincts. Here are some possible explanations:

Low Angle Shot of an Adorable Pitbull
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Dogs, as we've seen, exhibit territorial behavior, fear, and anxiety due to trauma, noise, and unusual activity. Humans, too, can exhibit similar behavior, often judging others based on their own perceived threats or insecurities.

For example, some people may judge others for taking up space or resources, much like a dog guarding its food or territory. Similarly, fear of the unknown or unfamiliar can lead humans to judge others based on their appearance, background, or behavior.

Trauma and anxiety can also play a role in human judgment, as people may become overly critical or defensive due to past experiences or perceived slights. And just as a dog in pain may lash out, humans in pain or distress may lash out at others, leading to hurtful or judgmental behavior.

Here are some common reasons humans judge humans:

  • Territorial behavior, such as protecting one's space or resources
  • Fear of the unknown or unfamiliar
  • Presence of trauma or anxiety
  • Pain or distress, leading to hurtful or judgmental behavior

Liability for Bites

You're likely aware that dog bites can be serious and costly, but do you know who's responsible for the damages? It's not just the dog owner who might be liable. Homeowners insurance typically covers dog bite injuries, but there may be exclusions in the policy.

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The dog owner's insurance policy usually covers damages, including medical expenses and lost wages. This is why it's essential to report the incident to the insurance company as soon as possible.

In some cases, the landlord may also be responsible if they knew or had reason to know about the dog's aggressive behavior. If a tenant's dog bites someone, the landlord may be held accountable.

If a child's dog bites someone, the child's parents are responsible for the attack and injuries. This highlights the importance of supervising children and their pets.

A dog watcher or dog sitter may also be liable if the dog attacks someone while in their care. In this case, the dog owner's insurance policy typically covers the damages.

Here are the parties that may be liable for dog bites:

  • Homeowners (through their insurance policy)
  • Landlords (if they knew or had reason to know about the dog's aggressive behavior)
  • Child's parents (if their child's dog bites someone)
  • Dog owner (if their dog bites someone while in the care of a dog watcher or dog sitter)

Vet Bill Responsibility

In Australia, the responsibility for a vet bill after a dog attack falls with the owner of the dog that has been treated.

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If your dog requires expensive medical procedures like surgery, x-rays, and ultrasounds, the vet bill can be high.

The owner of the attacking dog is always responsible for the vet bill in most states of Australia, except for Queensland where the legal system makes it difficult to prove liability.

Your veterinarian will support your decisions regarding medical treatment, but ultimately, you're responsible for paying the vet bill.

Always pay for vet treatment and keep receipts and photos of surgeries, dog wounds, x-rays, and ultrasound results as evidence for potential reimbursement from the offending dog's owner.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you scare off a pitbull?

To scare off a pitbull, use a whistle with a sharp or ultrasonic tone to disrupt their sensitive hearing and deter aggressive behavior. This non-lethal deterrent can be an effective and humane way to manage interactions with pitbulls.

What is the best defense against a pitbull attack?

While bear spray and similar devices have a limited success rate, a more effective defense against a pitbull attack may be to use a large, sturdy object to protect yourself. However, it's essential to learn more about the best defensive strategies and safety measures to take when facing a pitbull attack.

What triggers a pitbull to attack?

Social isolation and lack of socialization can trigger a pitbull's fear, leading to aggressive behavior when they encounter strangers

Will pepper spray stop a pitbull?

Yes, pepper spray can be effective in stopping a pitbull attack, but it's essential to use it correctly and in a situation where you're in immediate danger. If you're considering using pepper spray on a pitbull, learn more about its proper use and potential risks.

How do you break a pit bulls aggression?

To break a Pit Bull's aggression, start by socializing your puppy early and teaching it to behave properly around other dogs through positive reinforcement training. Advanced training and dog sports can also help redirect aggression into a more positive outlet.

Lucy Orn-Mills

Writer

Lucy Orn-Mills is a versatile writer with a passion for canine culture. With a keen interest in the world of dogs, she has penned articles on a wide range of topics, from the charming Border Terrier to the rich history of dog breeds originating in Scotland and England. Lucy's expertise extends to the fascinating realm of Terriers, a group of breeds known for their feisty and affectionate nature.