'I said, 'Your dog is killing my dog!''
The Bothell woman watched helplessly, yelling at the pit bull owner to get his dog under control.
"And I yelled at him. I said, 'Your dog is killing my dog!' And I swear, he didn't even say 'I'm so sorry.' Nothing," she said. "His (the pit bull's) jaws -- he just laid right into the side of Ty. So I just started screaming for help."
Selin wrapped Ty, her dog of 11 years, in a towel and rushed him to the Bothell Pet Hospital. The dog died during surgery.
In the wake of Ty's death, area residents are warning each other about the pit bull's home.
The home has a "beware of dog" sign in the yard, but that sign is hidden down a slope and behind a tree.
Animal control officers are investigating but, for now, the pit bull is still at home. Neighbors said they hadn't had previous problems with the pit bull, but say they are nevertheless on edge in the wake of the deadly attack.
"And according to most of the neighbors I have talked to, they're not happy with it at all, and they'd like to see it gone," said husband Ted Selin.
Selin suffered a bruised and bloodied nose while trying to protect Ty.
She thinks the pit bull may have clamped on her arm when she tried to pry Ty out of its mouth. She's had nightmares about the attack, and wants the pit bull punished.
"This dog -- he's a killer dog. He came out there with the intention of tearing that dog apart," said Diane Selin.
The Selins have received flowers and cards from the neighbors who knew and loved Ty. But they say nothing will ever replace the love they got from the smallest member of the family.
Once the Selins file the proper paperwork, it will be up to animal control to decide whether the dog should be removed from the home or put to sleep, as well as whether the owners will be fined.