Burien man and his dog survive vicious pit bull attack
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BURIEN, Wash. -- A vicious pit bull attack left a Burien man and his dog battered and bloody on Monday, and animal control officers say the pit bull is still on the loose.
Matt Crockett and his dogs run the same five-mile route in Shorewood every day, but now he and his entire neighborhood are on edge after this week's attack.
From his Burien home, Crockett points out all of the wounds on his dog.
"He got bit on here initially and then rolled over and locked on his neck. And then later launched on, locked onto his neck there," he said.
Brody -- a 6-year old golden doodle -- is lucky to be alive.
"You can see the puncture marks from the pit bull's teeth," Crockett said.
Crockett and his dogs, Brody and Omar, were waiting to cross an intersection near Shorewood Grocery, when a pit bull lunged at Brody. He said the pit bull's owner had a rope tied around its neck, but he lost his grip and apparently control of his dog.
The attack on Brody lasted a good 4 to 5 minutes, according to Crockett.
"I then started hitting the pit bull in the face and the owner said keep hitting harder, harder," he said.
That didn't seem to phase the pit bull, so Crockett picked up the 5 pound weights he carries.
"He's pulling, I'm pounding, I pick up the weight I throw it at its head. I hit it in the head twice," he said. "Eventually the pit bull let go, my dog went running into the street. It was pretty chaotic."
People stopped and called 911, but the pit bull and his owner took off as soon as the attack was over. A witness followed them to a nearby church, where deputies eventually questioned the man. Unfortunately, the deputies were called away before animal control could arrive. When they did get there, the man and his dog were gone.
"All attacks are dangerous attacks. We are taking it very, very seriously," said Eric Swansen with the Regional Animal Services of King County.
Until the pit bull is in custody, Crockett said he's very concerned the dog could claim another victim.
"(It) could injure or kill a small kid," he said. "That's my concern. And I'm anxious. I'm extremely anxious."
After the attack, Crockett went out and bought mace to protect himself and his dogs. Brody faces several months of recovery and won't be running again any time soon. As for Crockett, he's waiting to learn if he'll need surgery on his broken hand.
If you ever encounter a dog you think might attack, the Humane Society suggests you resist the urge to run or scream. They say you should stay still with your arms at your side and avoid eye contact with the dog. When the dog loses interest, slowly back away.
Matt Crockett and his dogs run the same five-mile route in Shorewood every day, but now he and his entire neighborhood are on edge after this week's attack.
From his Burien home, Crockett points out all of the wounds on his dog.
"He got bit on here initially and then rolled over and locked on his neck. And then later launched on, locked onto his neck there," he said.
Brody -- a 6-year old golden doodle -- is lucky to be alive.
"You can see the puncture marks from the pit bull's teeth," Crockett said.
Crockett and his dogs, Brody and Omar, were waiting to cross an intersection near Shorewood Grocery, when a pit bull lunged at Brody. He said the pit bull's owner had a rope tied around its neck, but he lost his grip and apparently control of his dog.
The attack on Brody lasted a good 4 to 5 minutes, according to Crockett.
"I then started hitting the pit bull in the face and the owner said keep hitting harder, harder," he said.
That didn't seem to phase the pit bull, so Crockett picked up the 5 pound weights he carries.
"He's pulling, I'm pounding, I pick up the weight I throw it at its head. I hit it in the head twice," he said. "Eventually the pit bull let go, my dog went running into the street. It was pretty chaotic."
People stopped and called 911, but the pit bull and his owner took off as soon as the attack was over. A witness followed them to a nearby church, where deputies eventually questioned the man. Unfortunately, the deputies were called away before animal control could arrive. When they did get there, the man and his dog were gone.
"All attacks are dangerous attacks. We are taking it very, very seriously," said Eric Swansen with the Regional Animal Services of King County.
Until the pit bull is in custody, Crockett said he's very concerned the dog could claim another victim.
"(It) could injure or kill a small kid," he said. "That's my concern. And I'm anxious. I'm extremely anxious."
After the attack, Crockett went out and bought mace to protect himself and his dogs. Brody faces several months of recovery and won't be running again any time soon. As for Crockett, he's waiting to learn if he'll need surgery on his broken hand.
If you ever encounter a dog you think might attack, the Humane Society suggests you resist the urge to run or scream. They say you should stay still with your arms at your side and avoid eye contact with the dog. When the dog loses interest, slowly back away.
It is really amazing that people live with dangerous animals and when they kill another creature they go into a state of denial.
Last Saturday my daughter was waiting for the elevator when the doors open and a pit bull jump out and killed her puppy Cockapoo. This has happen in an apartment complex with about a hundred units. Now if a child had been standing there with a teddy bear that dog would have killed that child. The owner Ben Wyatt who lives in apartment W501 showed no emotion or gave no support to my daughter. The elevator went up and down while see cried that her little puppy was slaughtered by a pit bull out of control. The Seattle Police would not respond because the dog didn't bit her. The Animal Control did and pick up the pit bull and cited the owner Ben Wyatt.
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Now here is the real rub without the police report my daughter can't get a restraining order against Wyatt living at 506 E Howell Street. The manner he responded to my daughter when they took his dog didn't set well with her family and her safety. The other problem everyone in that complex should be aware of the dog owner and the present of the dog both have problems. How safe would you feel if your child runs out the front door only to be killed with an out of control pit bull? $500k wouldn't cover the grief nor would it cover the fears people have to live with in such environment. Unless they decide that wild animals don't belong in city limits they just as well relocate cougars and brown bears into city limits until city hall use common-sense.
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pit pull are very sweet i myself have one and we have goats they get along very well other dog attack more than pits bulls in a mounth
I don't understand what was more important for the police, that they were called away from a man harboring a vicious dog. I hope someone at least got his information so this guy can either contact his homeowners insurance or sue the guy for his damages. It's kind of like the police walking away from a hit and run because the wrecker wasn't there yet.
pit bull are very sweet and i myself have one and i have goats and they get along very well other dog breeds attack more than pits do in a year
 @bris123 Pit bulls are very sweet...until they're not. I don't understand why people can't see that the breed is not dependable and cannot be trusted. The breed was developed to be strong and agressive and those traits will live in the breed forever. Would you expect a labrador retriever to fetch something if you throw it? Of course you would. Would you expect a border collie to try to herd without even trying to train it? Various dog breeds were developed for certain purposes, and that fact will never be changed. My little terrier was bred to be tenatious and mouthy and that's what she does. There's a test people can take when they are planning on getting a dog, it's too bad more people don't take it.
 @bris123 i agree you know my 4 year old was attacked by a small/med dog can't remember the breed...all he was doing was walking on the street he was scared shitless of dogs after that then we got Dre...he's an american bulldog red nose pit mix and Dre helped him to not be so scared of dogs (calm dogs he's still a little scared if they bark at him but he doesn't freak out anymore) i WISH i could post pictures on here of Dre and my son so people would see...it's not the breed it's the owner people need to get that through their heads
Pit-bulls are dangerous infestation of our communities which should exterminated. Euthanize all pit-bulls and make the owners pay for it!
 @NickM1979 pit bulls are just aggressive if you make them like that so you can think all pit bulls are mean but that is just the stereotypeÂ
 @NickM1979 your an idiot....and obviously don't have a heart! innocent dogs like MY pitbull are getting bad raps because other owners aren't responsible MY pitbulls best friend is a 4 year old boy and he LOVES smaller dogs...I AM a good owner who keeps track of my dog....why should mine be "exterminated" because of a few dumb owners this guy had his dog tied by a rope for god sakes! i have a leash a regular collar and a choke chain...now tell me again how my innocent dog needs to be exterminated because other owners are idiots you need to pick up a book and realize it's the OWNERS not the BREED!
 @Quinzm0mmy2oo8  @NickM1979 Pitbulls are the breed of choice among the criminal demographic.
 @NickM1979 i do agree tho that the owners should be FULLY proccecuted to the fullest extent if they're not going to be smart enough to own a dog that goes for ANY kind of dog i've been bitten by more smaller dogs and labs than my pitbull!
I def think this dog (pit) should be put down, and the owner held accountable, preferably to much stricter punishments. But as far as pits in general, i worked at a animal Hosp for 7 years, and during that time I met 1 pit bull that was aggressive. Compared to countless chows and rots. It's the owners who make the dog.
 @bJack Pits attack for fun they enjoy it.  That is why we always here "he has never been aggressive before they killed my 3 year old child".  Pits love to kill and tear things up, countless vet techs are injured each year.  Most pounds in high pit populations have special procedures for keeping and killing pits as fast and safely as possible. Â
@Michael Mantion Most of us Vet Techs HAVE pitbulls b/c we know better. We all know we're more likely to lose a thumb to that umteenth fractious cat that came into the hospital over the wiggly-butt Pitbull. I won't preach "it's how you raise them...." because I don't believe it. It's a crock. What a lot of people don't understand is that a Pitbull is a Terrier. If you understand a Terrier, you'll understand a Pitbull. I know my breed and I know my breed well. If you chose to educate yourself, then please have some fact behind your statement. Do you work in Veterinary medicine? Are you a Veterinary Technician? How many LVT's have you questioned to get your response "countless vet techs are injured each year"? I've got a hospital staffed of over 200+ people that you are moooooore than welcome to interview. Let me know and I can set that up for you.
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Now, if you want to discuss "Vet Tech injuries" I will tell you they come from cats, cats, cats, AND MORE CATS! Shocker, I know. Oooh, birds too. Those things can be dangerous. Always wear protective eyewear when working with Herons - they will poke your eye out.
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My 3 Pitbulls however........may manually remove your face.....with their tongue :)They have licker problems ya know.
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No breed is perfect, also NO ONE is perfect. There are more irresponsible people that own our breed than responsible people sadly. Still, not the dogs fault. They only do what their master asks of them. You know why they chose the Pitbull???? Its because it's the best breed. True story. Stronger, faster, loyal, smarter, willingness and eagerness to please, drive, strength, beauty.....I could keep going, but I'm willing to bet you're done reading. My breed can do anything your breed can do.....only better. Yup, again, true story. "How do I know?" you ask. Hmmmm, my oldest Pitbull is a World Champion DockDog (a Lab/Golden/ "water dog" sport) that jumps over 25 feet. She weighs 45lbs. My youngest and I do Search and Rescue and we do body recovery. My middle is a Therapy Dog and we frequent Childrens Hospital weekly.
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How do I work full time (graveyards at that!) and keep up with all that work??
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Because it's worth it. My breed is worth it. They're worth it.
"He said the pit bull's owner had a rope tied around its neck, but he lost his grip and apparently control of his dog" That has trash written all over it. Love dogs more than people, but not a huge pit fan personally.
Too bad you did have a gun and could of shot the dog, that would of been my move. Hearbreaking to see the injuries to your dog, hope he heals soon!
"Â Humane Society suggests you resist the urge to run or scream. They say you should stay still with your arms at your side and avoid eye contact with the dog. When the dog loses interest, slowly back away"
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Completely false shot the dog
 @Michael Mantion learn how to spell: you meant shoot the dog shot is past tense
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 @CRT  @Michael Mantion those who concern themselves with typos and grammar aren't worth talking to.  The content is what matters yet you ignore that.. You must be one of those sick pit supporters.  Those people that keep us from banning these monsters that kill every day.. You don't care bout the dogs these pits rip apart.  Go to hell you put nutter, were not putting up with you any longer.  Just like cops we have a right to protect our selves from the real threat these monsters pose.  Every day more and more pits are being shot every day more and more are getting dumped into pounds and given the needle.  Keep playing your games, keep supporting violence.  We WILL protect ourselves eventually the world will see you for the lying evil people you are.  Every day more and more people know someone attacked by these monsters you cal "pets"  Everyday your evil message gets weaker.  I don't know why you get off on death, I notice you didn't give a crap about this dog or this man.  How sick and evil can you be?  Scum like you cause this attack. You keep attacking innocent people with your monsters that were bred to be dangerous.  We are growing stronger every day.  Cops are learning every day that a pit in public is a threat.  They reach for their gun and shoot, and another pit monster dies.  Farmers are fed up with their horses and animals getting killed.  They are hunting these monsters. IF you have a pit its only a matter of time when it is a threat and when you cry no one will care because you will be the person making excuses why your dog attacked.  One day we will lock up you scum for attacking us with these monsters.Â
Good example of why people should be able to,after a thorough background check, carry a gun.
Always carry, if you see a pit on leash or not, aggressive or not yet aggressive shoot it.  If the owner acts threatening shoot the owner.  Keep yourself safe, no one is safe around a pit. ALWAYS save a bullet for the owner they are just as dangerous as the pits.  Its perfectly legal to protect yourself, these dogs have been proven in a number of court cases to be inherently dangerous, having a pit in public threaten your safety and the safety of others. Â
@Michael Mantion Are you posting from jail? Because if you took your own advice, that's where you'd be.
 @Michael Mantion indeed, shoot it up. see how far that will get you- in jail, where you belong
 @CRT want picture afterwards :D the next dead pit will be for you . Â
Totally agree!
 @Michael Mantion Did you just advocate shooting all pit bulls on sight under any circumstance?Â
 @jowsuf I advocate protecting yourself and your dogs.  I pit bull with in striking range is a threat.  Protect yourself.  shoot the dog. Â
 @Michael Mantion  @jowsuf PROTECTING yourself that doesn't mean shooting random dogs just because of their breed...would you like someone to shoot you cause your white? u know there are people out there like that and it's the same thing...your being a threat to ANY dog owner out there saying you'll shoot them and their dog...ppssshhh like i said scared little individual....
 @jowsuf I scream it at the top of my lungs "I WILL SHOOT YOUR DOG IF YOU GET ONE STEP CLOSER" they walk the other way.  I will shoot the next stray pit I see, I used to round them up and take them to the town to keep people safe.  that takes too much time and too many pits are getting dumped on the street when the owners get scared of them. Why do we put down 25% of all pits each year? Â
 @jowsuf  @Michael Mantion yes he does...
@Quinzm0mmy2oo8 @jowsuf @Michael Mantion.. You cannot discharge a firearm just because you see a pit bull..That is insane.
 @Michael Mantion seriously?????? someone shoots my dog just cuz he's a pit i wont need to HIDE behind a gun to protect my dog!!!! i can't believe what your saying my 4 year old's BEST FRIEND is a pit it's the owners you are an idiot...i can see you defending your dog in this case but to shoot a dog purely based on the fact he's a pitbull your an ignorant person...
 @Quinzm0mmy2oo8 Believe it.. We tried to ban your monsters.  This man was walking his pit down the road on a leash and it did this.  Any pit near me is a threat and I will protect myself and my dog with deadly force.  We aren't going to be victims any longer we aren't going to wait and see if your dog attacks.  Ill warn you to go the other way, after that its dead and if you make a threat against me I will protect myself. Â
 @Michael Mantion AND BTW my dog IS my family if your going to threaten to shoot him AND me i have the right to ask who the hell raised you cause someone should find them and slap some sense into them! actually it's not really your parents fault i can't blame them unlike you blaming the breed for some crappy owners...what conversation not going your way so you want to whine...like i said weak scared individual....
 @Michael Mantion no actually my email tells me when you write your idiot remarks thanks but no stalking on my side....you are a scared individual and dogs can sense that...or your truly a really bad person which dogs can also sense...your just the village idiot with a gun which is more scarier than a pitbull in my opinion...
 @Quinzm0mmy2oo8 Its a pitbull owner talking about how his pitbull died.  Watch it.  or stay stupid .. Either way you interest in me is sickening and disturbing.  Do not write to me again.  You are stalking me. Â
 @Michael Mantion i'm not interested in watching any videos you have in mind...you'll never be able to change my mind because unlike you i understand that there's a potential danger with ALL dogs that's what YOU need to understand...
 @Quinzm0mmy2oo8 who cares about every pitbull.  Here watch this video. Watch it.. Its not long you will understand why people have pits and why they need to die.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7cWqIBphF8.  Just watch the video its 3 minutes.  Keep in mind I used to advocate with pits then I worked with dogs and figured out that the problem is the dog its not the person. Â
 @Michael Mantion i'm aware of that but if you READ the characteristics of a pitbull you'll see that not every pitbull is like the one who attacked this dog and you should maybe uncloud your warped mind a bit and realize that...like i said i've been bitten by more small/medium dogs in my life just tonight i watched a YELLOW LAB rip apart Cesar Millans hand ON CAMERA which goes to prove any dog with the wrong owner can be dangerous my father in law saw a poodle rip apart a 4 year old and that wasn't on the news....cause it was a poodle...he also saw a chihuahua snap at a little boy with NO warning and it ended up blinding the little boy..did you see that on the news NO of course not cause you only see the stuff on the news that will get ratings don't be so naive...
 @Quinzm0mmy2oo8 the first dog registered by the UKC was a APBT.  The man who founded the UKC did it because the AKC refused to acknowledge the APBT as a breed.  Pit Bull is not a bred.  its a type of dog designed to PIT.... BULLS.  and then the dogs were designed to attack dogs and humans.  Pitbull is a type of dogs most of which are mixes of other mixes. Â
 @Michael Mantion just curious what kind of dog do you have? let me guess a little ankle bitter?
 @Michael Mantion oh yeah here's the link you probably wont look at btw :)    http://www.ukcdogs.com/Web.nsf/Breeds/Terrier/AmericanPitBullTerrier12012012
 @Michael Mantion yep that's the way to go that's why people get attacked cause they're scared individuals and hide behind guns...your an idiot who obviously needs to read UKC states AND I QUOTE "This breed is eager to please and brimming over with enthusiasm. APBTs make excellent family companions and have always been noted for their love of children" if you want which you probably wont cause your an idiot here's the link i'm not out to change your mind i'm just saying someone shoots my dog for no reason i won't be hiding behind a gun i'd kick some ass i don't care if i die trying MY dog is properly trained he's not running around with a rope as leash i can't believe what a horrible person you are...hey the village called they want their idiot back pick up a book and read before you ASSUME everyone is alike...threatening to shoot someone's dog cause of they're breed...wow
 @Quinzm0mmy2oo8 I would suggest that you not have a pit bull around your child... just a dangerous situation....Â
 @GOCOUGS and i'd suggest you don't assume I'm an irresponsible parent AND dog owner i read up on his breed for 4 YEARS not to mention passed up A LOT of good dogs then found mine...my son is NOT in a dangerous situation if you can't trust your dog you shouldn't have it....and i FULLY trust mine a good owner reads up on the breed they're getting no matter what they also train they're dog which mine is...i've been attacked by more small dogs in my life than big dogs i also know how to act around dogs if your scared they're going to look at you like your weak...i'm not weak nor scared and a dog knows that maybe all YOU people out there should do some research before you assume that every pit out there is dangerous....
@Michael Mantion This is the standard response for pitbull owners during serious attacks.. There needs to be severe penalities for MAUL and Dashes. They don't microchip their pets for a reason: They know the dogs are harder to handle. People who want the owners to be responsible for their pets need to let the Maryland legislature know that law declaring these dogs innately dangerous and extending liability in attacks to landords needs to stay. They are trying to weaken this court ruling this week. The sacrifce of life and limbs or people and pets to the pitbul cult has got to stop. Hollywood UNreality t.v. may say that these dogs are safe, but Hollywood stars peddled cigarettes too and would not stop until the government out lawed the commercials. People need to follow the money... Micheal you have the right idea.. carry if you can. The poor kids, and people who can't carry are out of luck.
 @Michael Mantion As a firearm owner and concealed handgun permittee, I think that advice is ridiculous. Give pits a wide berth, and certainly do whatever is necessary to defend yourself, but preemptively shooting dogs and people? You give US a bad name.Â
 @ButeoBliss You do not own the street as such I have every right to protect myself.  Telling you to go the other way is more then enough warning before I use deadly force.  Sorry but courts have deemed these dogs a real threat I will use deadly force to protect myself.  Personally this problem could be solved if they treat every attack as assault and charge the owner of the dogs with that crime and put them in jail accordingly.  that is what many countries do.. Â
 @Michael Mantion You're not allowed to shoot people or animals without actively being threatened. Are you insane? You aren't protecting yourself just by seeing a pit bull and shooting it, you're being the violent aggressor. Shooting a pit bull on sight just because he's there and threatening the owner when nothing happened other than their mere presence being there is going to put you in prison, where it sounds like society would most likely benefit from you being. How absolutely insane!
@Michael Mantion @ButeoBliss Exactly. If I hurt someone with my car, a possession I chose, I am liable to pay for the damages and I can go to jail if I was reckless driving, drunk.. ect. Likewise, if I hurt someone with a dog, a dog I chose to own, I should have to pay for any damages, have an insurance policy rider that covers my dog's attacks, and I should go to jail if my dog attacks. The hand slaps and 20 dollar fines given to owners of pitbull dogs that have ripped up people and pets.. even killed people, is crazy. The laws of yesterday where owners get one free "bite" and a fine for a dog bite were adequate for family pets as these dogs rarely break the skin when they do bite. A pitbull doesn't bite, it mauls. We need laws that are different for this different time of animal (man made monster).
 @Michael Mantion from a police chief friend... 'always make sure you shoot the front of them never in the back if they are running away'....  goshI I hate to save it but yes, victims AND some police have been attacked by the owners if you try to defend yourself from the dog by hitting/shooting it...