Pit Bull Seized After Attacking 13-Year Old and Adult

Another Serious Attack Averted
Panama City, FL - Bay County Animal Control seized a pit bull after it crossed a street to attack a girl and also tried to bite a man who came to her aid. The incident happened on Swan Road in Panama City, according to the sheriff's office. The victim, 13, and her mother had just gotten out of their car in their driveway when the dog ran from the yard across the street and attacked the child.

Step out of your car; get attacked by the neighbor's pit bull.

According to the report, the girl suffered two puncture wounds to the right side of her upper back. Steve Jones, the girl's mother's fiancé, ran to her aid; the dog turned on him and began to bite his right ankle, but he was able to kick the dog away before he was injured, the report said. The dog then returned to the yard across the street, where he remained until Animal Control arrived.

A deputy and the Animal Control officer made contact with Petra Bell, the owner of the dog. She was not at home when the incident occurred, the report said. Bell advised officers that the dog's shots were current and it didn't have a history of biting. She surrendered the dog, "Piper," to Animal Control without incident, the report said. EMS arrived and treated the child's injuries.

After the 10-day quarantine, the dog will presumably be returned to its owner. So that the next time a person steps out of a vehicle on this street, the dog can attack again. A quick check on the Panama City dog ordinance shows that it was last addressed in 1963. The upshot is that because the dog bit two people, authorities may be able to declare the dog "vicious."

Related articles:
07/17/08: Little Girl Bitten by Pit Bull in "Land Shark Attack"
05/07/08: Opening Car Door Sends Pit Bull into Berserker Mode