Ruby Greenway, 87, Attacked by Pit Bull
Anderson, SC - Ruby Greenway is recovering at home after being attacked by a neighbor’s pit bull when she tried to take out the trash. She sustained a deep wound to her leg from the terrifying encounter. She must return to the hospital because doctors were unable to completely stitch the wound until it begins to heal.
Recently in Tennessee, an elderly man was attacked by a neighbor's pit bull while rolling his trashcan out to the street -- this was an act he had performed hundreds of times before, but this time his life was imperiled. About 10 days ago, in Alabama, two American bulldogs attacked a woman and her leashed dog as she went out to fetch the paper. Another act all Americans should feel safe doing.
Last October, 65 year old Rosalie Bivins was attacked and killed by a pack of pit bulls as she stepped out of her house to get her mail.
Because of dangerous dogs, US citizens are unable to take out their trash, fetch their newspaper or check their mailbox without being at their mercy. This is a hideous crime that not only destroys lives; it destroys neighborhoods, community spirit and faith in completing mundane tasks safely in the environment of our homes and yards.
Ruby Greenway said the attack was very scary -- the dog took a "chunk out" of her leg. She tried to use the trashcan as a shield, but the dog overpowered her. During the attack she became dizzy, but thought if she passed out, the dog would kill her. She was only able to get away because a passer-by and two family members rushed to her aid.
Ms. Greenway has been living at her home on Lanford Street for 50 years. She said she's never been afraid of dogs before. She is now though, as many of us are. Pit bull type dogs consistently attack nonthreatening human beings who are outside of the dog' s property lines. This harks back to the pit bull's "high prey drive," which more and more targets people, not just animals.
DogsBite.org honors Ruby Greenway. Herself and her story will not be forgotten.
Related articles:
03/13/08: Pair of American Bulldogs Attacks a Woman
03/10/08: Grandparents and grandchildren: A deadly combination with dangerous dogs
An 87 year old woman having to defend herself from a vicious dog with a trashcan lid — this really pisses me off!
She’s lived at her residence for 50 years! She must have had NO IDEA when the pit bull moved in across the street that it was a seriously dangerous dog with a seriously irresponsible owner.
Another off property attack by a Bully breed! Most dogs don’t want confrontations when the are off their own turf.
Punish the Deed Not the Breed, I don’t understand the punish part of this. The only one being punished is someone like this lady. Why does a pit buller feel he is being punished if he has to keep his dog under control. Most animals have some type of restriction on them, the more dangerous, the tighter the restictions. That’s the way it should be.
Not just any dumbass with the purchase price should be able to own an animal with the kind of power these dogs have.
It just seems so simple. They should at least have to take them out in the country, like they do horses and cows and many other animals that are not allowed in the city limits.
I can’t imagine how frightened she was — 87 years old and trying to fend off a vicious pit bull as she took out her trash. THESE DOGS HUNT VULNERABLE PEOPLE.
I think of my own grandmother now. Her wounds wouldn’t heal like a child’s — our senior citizens are at grave risk to these dogs.
“Prevent the Deed, Regulate the Breed”…..
David, the problem with allowing them out in country, is that they often attack horses and livestock…even scaling stall doors to kill horses in their own barns. It’s a no-win situation; they are animal aggressive and, many times, human aggressive.
I even think that owning them in rural areas is even more dangerous….many, many victims of pit bull attacks are alive today by the Grace of God….a good samaritan, neighbor, or passersby saw the attack and ran to help. In a more remote, rural area the likelihood of another person being there at the time of the attack is questionable. I think folks in rural areas are even more at risk from these dogs.
i completely agree with your observations on rural pit bulls. just look at the 2 people who were de-gloved by 4 american bulldogs owned by diane cockrell in rural michigan last year. cheryl harper was literally eaten to death while taking a walk in the country.
there are many more opportunities to attack animals. there are less potential human victims and there are less people to come to your aid. another problem is that there is usually little if any animal control laws or officers to cover a large area.
these dogs pose a much greater danger in a rural setting.
I agree it’s nuts to own one anywhere….However the pit nutter’s who play Lion Tamer with a game bred pit bull in an apartment complex really need to be examined by scientists.
No large breed of dog or a fighting breed of dog should be allowed in an apartment complex. We should also not allow fighting breeds in rental properties. This could help resolve some of the liability issue. Victims could not only go after the home owner’s insurance but also their homes to collect damages.
The only good thing about Pits on rental properties is that the landlord provides the liability umbrella for the high risk dog owner.
I honestly can’t imagine how anyone renting property today would allow any large guarding or fighting breed of dog in their rental unit. It’s just far too risky. I think the way landlords get around the legal liability is by claiming they had no idea the renters had the dog.
That’s why I would adivise all neighbors who feel threatened by a tenant’s dog to send a certified letter to the landlord stating that you are notifying them that their tenant has an aggressive dog, and that you will hold them legally liable for any damages if the dog attacks.
I see what you mean, some of these people would have died if there had not been help.
In Indiana the landlord is only liable if he knows there is a danger and does nothing to prevent it. His insurance is “Liability Insurance”, if he’s not liable, his insurance may not have to pay. There is room for doubt. If you point it out the danger to him, then there is no doubt.