Riverside Place: Dangerous Dog Alert

Photos: Red Car Property Neighbors. June 24, 2021. One of the wounds requiring sutures.

Thursday evening, a neighbor and responsible Pit Bull owner was walking her dog, on-leash, accompanied by her 8 year old son.  As they approached the southern end of Riverside Place, 2 pit bulls broke out of their front gate and attacked the on-leash dog directly in front of the Pit Bulls' house. The street where the incident occurred is about 12-14’ wide with no sidewalks.

June 26, 2021.  The neighbor’s dog will recover from her wounds and is getting lots of love from her family.

Even after the owners came out of the house trying to restrain their dogs, one broke free and charged down the street after the woman walking briskly away with her still on-leash dog. With lightning speed, it attacked the dog a second time (verified on video from a neighbor). Neither the woman nor her son were bitten, but their dog required emergency surgery. She filed a report with the LA City Dept of Animal Services.

Similar Behavior Pattern

August 22, 2015.  The 2 Pit Bulls who attacked my dog just before they attacked a second dog in Red Car Canyon adjacent to Riverside Place.

Last week’s incident was so similar to the August 2015 attack, when 2 off-leash Pit Bulls, from the same house on Riverside Place, attacked my on-leash dog.  Once the owners “had a hold of their dogs,” they broke free and attacked another woman’s dog, 75' down the path in Red Car Canyon.  We both reported the incident to Animal Services, no action was taken.

Small Dog Killed in 2020 

After the neighbor in Thursday’s incident posted a warning to Next Door, she was contacted by a Red Car Property neighbor who’s Chihuahua was killed by one of the same Riverside Place owner's Pit Bulls in April 2020.   At the time, the dangerous Pit Bull was on-leash and dragged its owner across Lake View Ave, attacking the on-leash Chihuahua. The small dog died at the animal hospital as a result of the attack.  (Note: I’d heard this story last year, but could not verify it.) 

Again, a report was made to Animal Services and no action taken.  

I know there was another incident in the past few years on Riverside Place, where the same Pit Bulls broke out of their gate and attacked an on-leash small dog, walked by a woman pushing a baby stroller.  The neighbor who told me of the incident, also implored the woman to make a report to Animal Services because this is an unacceptable recurrence.  

In fact, all the nearby neighbors have multiple stories of the dangerous dogs from the same house on Riverside Place.  We've documented incidents with Animal Services.  Several Riverside Place neighbors have told me, "Those dogs have terrorized the neighborhood for years."

Make no mistake, it is terrifying to be on the receiving end of a Pit Bull attack. Most people  say, "I just won't walk there anymore."  This is not a practical solution.  It can happen anywhere to anyone.  These dogs have incredible speed and strength. I often witnessed the same 2 dogs racing down the Red Car Property, toward the 2 Freeway, frequently with no owner in sight (prior to, and after the attack on my dog).  

You are responsible for your dog at all times, both on and off your property.

Not all Pit Bulls are bad.  I know many well behaved pit bulls with responsible owners.  You need to do your homework before you adopt any dog, especially if you are adopting a dog built breed built like a tank. They are not suitable for everyone.

I wrote an extensive piece with lessons learned in the attack on my dog, with useful links to resources on preparing yourself as a Pit Bull owner and what to do to break up an attack: Corralitas Red Car Property: August 27, 2015

If you or your dog are attacked by another dog in the City of Los Angeles, report it to LA Department of Animal Services.

Red Car Canyon: Tuesday Morning Pit Bull Attacks

Photo: Red Car Canyon Neighbor, August 25, 2015.  Tuesday morning, my on-leash dog was attacked by 2 Pit Bulls that escaped their yard on Riverside Place.

In recent weeks I've heard of several unprovoked dog on dog attacks on both the Red Car Property and on adjacent streets.  None involved the same dogs.  Not all involved Pit Bulls.  All incidents involved at least one off-leash dog attacking an on-leash dog.  If your dog is off-leash - you are in violation of the law.

I only write this today because so many neighbors have asked me to do so.  I usually hear stories from second or third parties, well after the fact.  So I haven't been able to use them.  Since I've already lost the better part of 2 days dealing with this issue and my dog's injuries, I hope dog owners faced with an attack by any kind of dog will learn to stay calm and take specific actions if they find themselves in a similar situation.

Pay Attention
Tuesday morning, I was walking alone, southbound through the canyon, with my dog on a short leash at my side, when I saw 2 big pit bulls about 75' ahead of me, off-leash and unattended, running onto the property from Riverside Place. They both looked over their shoulders at my dog.  They immediately changed direction and charged at my dog. 

Stay Calm, Be The Alpha, Shout For Help
I did what usually stops an aggressive dog in its tracks.  Without hesitating, I stepped in front of my dog, made myself big, putting my fists on my hips, shouting in a low voice "NO! BAD DOG! NO!"  (Really, it usually works.)  Clearly, these bad dogs felt no remorse and went right around me, knocking my dog to the ground, first biting at his neck, then biting at his legs.  While trying to push the larger, more aggressive Pit Bull with my legs to the side and pull back on its collar, I was shouting for help, "I'm in the canyon, somebody please help me!"

Wrestlemania
I ended up on the ground in a jumble of all 3 dogs.  I wasn't panicking, but starting to think that no one could hear me and I'm alone and these 2 dogs were going to either break my dog's legs and/or kill him and I'm not strong enough to fight them off.  All the literature says hitting a Pit Bull in the head will only make it more angry - so its a good thing I didn't try that.  

Pack Behavior
With 2 attacking dogs, it only complicated matters, since they were defending each other when my dog attempted to fight back.  

Think Fast, Don't Run
There were no sticks nearby to use as a barrier.  I kept getting knocked off my feet by the fight. There was nothing to jump on top of to get to higher ground.  I knew running was the wrong thing to do, because that would only incite the chase instinct.  

Look For A Big Stick
After what seemed like an eternity, I was about to call 911 in vain, but dropped my phone.  Just then, 3 neighbors from Lake View and 1 from Riverside Place who heard me yelling for help, came running from their backyards.  They helped distract and separate the dogs.  One of the Lake View Neighbors picked up a long stick or pole and was using it to get between one of the dogs and me & my dog (one of the recommended techniques).

2nd Dog Attacked
Apparently the dogs had escaped their gate.  No sooner had the owner arrived when one of the dogs broke free, raced down the trail and attacked another dog.  Luckily the neighbor with the stick was nearby and helped fend off that attack.

Photo: Diane Edwardson, August 25, 2015.  Aftermath: If your dog is in a dog fight, as soon as you get  home, check through your dog's fur carefully for puncture wounds.  If he's got any, take him to the vet immediately.  Puncture wounds can be deep and get infected easily if left untreated.

Prepare For Next Time
If you Google "how to break up a dog fight" or "what to do if you're attacked by Pit Bulls," there's actually very little useful advice out there unless you carry a big stick, pepper spray or an air horn and are able to use any of those things properly in a situation where you might be panicking. 

Many neighbors tell me they carry pepper spray.  I think an air horn is more effective because it not only shocks the the dog, but it will get the attention of neighbors.  My dog would not have been so lucky had neighbors not come to my rescue.  Pocket size air horns are the same size as pepper spray and if you point the air horn at your face by accident, only your hearing may be impaired temporarily. 

If you have dogs that are escape artists, take extra precautions to lock gates and secure your fences.  You are responsible for your dog at all times.

Leash = Freedom
Walk your dog on a leash.  All of the dog on dog altercations I hear about on the Red Car Property and on the neighborhood streets occur because one of the dogs is off leash.  The Red Car Property owner's rep has given us permission to walk on the property.  Use it responsibly.  Keep your dog on a leash.  And always pick up after them.

In my dog's world, leash equals freedom.  If he wants to leave the yard, he has to be on a leash.  If you can't walk your dog on a leash, you need to get fit, get some dog training, get a smaller dog or you don't get to walk your own dog.   

Good info on breaking up Pit Bull attacks: Pit Bull Rescue Central

Pit Bull Rescue Central also has a lot of good info if you are considering adopting a Pit Bull.  They are very specific about the not so nice side of the breed and the commitment it takes to be a responsible owner.  

There's always more non-breed specific advice: ASPCA

If you or your dog was attacked by off-leash dog, be sure to file a complaint with the Dept of Animal Services.

UPDATE, 9-3-15: Rumor Control.  I was not bitten by the Pit Bulls.  The Pit Bulls showed no interest in me whatsoever.  They only attacked my dog.  That's why I showed so much confidence in attempting to break up the attack. I strongly recommend using the link above to Pit Bull Rescue Central because you do not have time to hesitate in that situation.

UPDATE, 6-27-21: Links in this post were updated.