After a cold frigid winter, most people have a strong inclination to go outside and enjoy a warm, spring day. As you walk down your neighborhood street, you take in the smell of tree blossoms and listen to the sounds of kids at play. Finally, you think, the time for hibernation is over.
Now imagine that same day, but with an unexpected turn. As you’re walking, several dogs come running from behind the fence of a person’s yard and come bolting straight at you. Instinctively, you start to run. If you’re lucky, you’ll get away unscathed. If not, you may be in for a substantial amount of pain and suffering.
As the common saying goes, “a dog is a man’s best friend.” The logic of this phrase is hard to argue against. In fact, there are millions of Americans today who not only have one canine friend, but several. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, there are between 70-80 million dogs in the United States. The ASPCA has also reported that nearly 50% of all homes have a dog.
Clearly, dogs have a close relationship with humans, especially in the United States. Unfortunately, they are still animals that have the potential for ferocity; this is simply unavoidable and indisputable. Despite years of careful and strenuous training by owners and keepers, a dog’s behavior can be unpredictable and sometimes dangerous. When dogs become vicious, they may attack and cause serious, possibly even life-threatening injuries.
On Tuesday, March 31, 2015, 60-year-old Annie Petty was walking outside in her neighborhood in Washington D.C. According to wtop.com, Petty was with her 9-year-old grandson, Calvin. They were together on the 3900 block of Ames Street, Northeast.
As they were walking along, they came up to a house with two pit-bulls in the yard. They were not leashed or tethered. Suddenly, upon seeing Petty and her grandson, the dogs bolted. They were headed straight for Calvin.
In a selfless act, Petty stepped in front of her grandson at the last second, shielding him from the dog attack. The dogs bit her legs and brought her to the ground. She was able to fight them off eventually, but not before having several chunks of skin taken away by the vicious dogs’ bites. She was later rushed to the hospital and underwent treatment for her open wounds.
In the meantime, D.C. police have taken custody of the two dogs and euthanized them with permission from the owner. According to animal law officials in the police department, the dogs are being autopsied to check for potential rabies virus.
