The other day I was on the way to an appointment with Frank when Lisa called me. My daughter Elizabeth who is stationed in San Diego called her hysterical. She was leaving work to go home because my soon to be son in law DJ called her saying that the dog had been attacked, they were both bleeding, they were pepper sprayed and the paramedics were transporting him. Here is the story-
They live in an apartment and have two dogs of their own. They had agreed to watch a female Husky named Layla while their friends traveled to a wedding. DJ took Layla out front to go potty on leash. The upstairs neighbor opened the door and two Pitts got out the door past her and immediately attacked the submissive Layla. DJ knowing that he could not break on the two on one dog fight threw himself on top of Layla to protect her. He suffered several bites (pictures below) including his fingers, hands, and ear, you can see bite marks on his glasses. He yelled for help but nobody would help him. A lady pepper sprayed him and the three dogs. All the dogs backs were to her so DJ took most of it. Now blinded, biten, and bleeding he crawled to his door dragging Layla by her collar with him. Eventually people beat the dogs with sticks and they released and DJ yelled for someone to open the door and he crawled into the apartment. Not being able to see his wounds or the dogs he used voice recognition on his phone to call police and paramedics and he felt all over Layla’ body for injuries and signs of live as he had been trained to do in the Navy. She was breathing and crying. He finally answered the door for EMS.
The immediate concern was that he might lose part of his finger. The bandaged him and the dog. He was transported by EMS and my daughter took Layla to the emergency vet. They decided not to stitch DJ in case of infection. He was decontaminated for the pepper spray and released. Layla had multiple puncture wounds to her next and chest. Luckily no life threatening injures.
The owner of the Pitts was advised to quarantine the dogs for 10 days. The apartment complex told them that they had to rehome the dogs.
When Frank and I were out visiting over Christmas we saw the dogs every day. Neither seemed aggressive. The older male seemed stable, however the young female seemed timed, probably due to lack of exposure during COVID.
Personally I set a very high standard for people, especially men, even more so the man that will be my daughter’s husband and the father of my grand kids. I know trauma, dog, and the fight or flight reflex, and I know and how most people would have responded to this situation. DJ risked his life for a dog that was not even his. I can only imagine what he would do to protect his family. He is a hero and saved Layla’s life.
These were not nips, they were bites. If you have even been the victim of a bite you know how bad it hurts. Healing prayers for DJ and Layla. I am going to be blessed in October to give Elizabeth away to him and get a son in return.
