Woman Demands Action After Her Maltese Is Mauled To Death By Pit Bull
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- A woman was walking her dog last week when she says a pit bull came out of nowhere and attacked.
The woman's dog was so badly wounded, it didn't survive, and now she wanted answers from the pit bull's owner.
"I came down the steps, walked right there, and all of the sudden that dog was here and grabbed my dog," says Audrey Wagner about the events of the attack.
Wagner can barely tell the story of her Maltese, named Bear. He was attacked as she held on for dear life, killed right in front of her.
"I'll never, ever, ever get over it," says Wagner. "I'm half afraid to walk out there on the street."
Wagner had the Maltese for nearly seven years.
"It was spoiled rotten. It was just like one of our little kids," says Wagner.
The incident happened last Friday night. A pit bull apparently escaped from a nearby house, ran two blocks over and attacked bear unprovoked.
Neighbor Chuck Schessler tried to save bear.
"I just ran down and I kicked the dog a couple times, and then I grabbed his mouth and tried to open it," said Schessler. "This lady came over and started hitting it with a stick. Then, the owner of the dog came down and choked the dog until he couldn't breathe, and then he dropped the other dog."
Audrey called police, and then called KDKA. She wanted answers.
The pit bull came from a modular home a few blocks away, apparently ran out the front door.
KDKA's Marty Griffin reached out to the owner and he agreed to meet, but did not want to do a TV interview.
Scott Dodson tells KDKA he felt horrible about what happened, and wants to take care of all medical bills or pay for a new dog if need be.
"He's attempted to do all the right things. He's compensated the victim," says attorney Phil DiLucente.
He volunteered the help settle the case, get Wagner's bills paid and a new dog, as well as get the pit bull out of the neighborhood.
"He is going to give the dog back to the humane society," said DiLucente. "These are tragic situations. Whenever it's a pet, it's like a family member. Certainly, emotions are running high."
Meanwhile, Wagner continues to grieve. She has Bear's ashes at her home. She's uncertain right now whether she will get a new dog. But she's thankful the owner of the pit bull stepped up.
We do not know what will happen with the pit bull once it's turned over to the humane society.
If you'd like Marty to help you solve your problem, email him at GetMarty@kdka.com.
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