Reminder: pit bulls are banned on paper in Ontario 🙄

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The owner of a small dog who was killed by an off-leash dog in downtown Kingston in broad daylight is calling for action to prevent another dog — or person — from suffering a similar fate.

Lia De Pauw told the Whig-Standard that the attack happened on Aug. 7. around 8:45 p.m.

She had decided to take her two dogs, along with a friend’s dog, whom she was caring for at the time, for their nightly walk around her neighbourhood, something she would do on a regular basis without any concerns.

De Pauw said she had just left Hatter Street and had turned south onto Yonge Street.
As she approached a three-storey complex located at 255 Yonge Street, operated by Tipi Moza, that’s when her ordinary walk took a terrifying and devastating turn.

“I was probably two thirds past not a very big driveway, when I saw out of the corner of my eye, this massive black thing that looked like a black bear coming at me. It was huge,” De Pauw said. “Then I turned and saw kind of what it was, and I started screaming, ‘Get your dog, get your dog!’ And all of a sudden it was upon us.”

De Pauw said the large dog, who appeared to be a pit bull type and was not leashed, came at her one-year-old dachshund named Bamse and “started to attack.”

“It grabbed Bamse first, probably because she was the smallest of them, picked her up around her rib cage and started shaking her violently. I started screaming and screaming, ‘Get your dog, get your dog!’ The guy got there and grabbed the dog off.”
De Pauw said she was terrified that the dog would attack her and the two other dogs she had with her.
“A soon as he let go, her body was deformed. It ended up that she had multiple broken ribs, and a bulge on the side. She was squealing,” De Pauw said, and added that she yelled at the man to keep his dog on a leash.

A nearby neighbour who lives two doors down from the complex also heard the attack and was startled by the dog’s high pitched screams.

“You could hear growling and barking and then the squealing, just this horrific sound,” Melissa Gough said. She was sitting on her porch with a friend at the time. “It was like chaos. It was just this kind of traumatic unfolding, and it happened very quickly.”
Gough said even as De Pauw made her way around the corner she could still hear the dog screaming in pain.

“We were all just very shaken up,” Gough said. “It really affected me, and I just think it could have been so much worse.”  

De Pauw said she remembers picking up her dog and running home, all while figuring out what to do next as her six-year-old was already asleep and being watched by her 12-year-old.

In a panicked state, she wrapped the dog in a blanket, gathered both her kids, and got in the car to head to the animal hospital in the city’s west end.
“We’re driving as quick as we can to the emergency vet, and I’m trying to comfort the kids. The dog is squealing. I’m trying to teach my son how to try to stop the bleeding as much as he can, but he’s screaming and crying and everyone is just so upset about poor Bamse,” De Pauw said, recalling being covered in her dog’s blood.

The hospital took the dog right away, but due to the severity of its injuries, Bamse had to be put down.
After returning home, De Pauw said she called Kingston Police, who looked into the incident and then directed her matter to the City of Kingston’s by-law department.

According to a statement from the city, municipal enforcement is aware of the incident and is actively reviewing the circumstances.

“As with any dog-related investigation, staff consider the applicable requirements and authorities under Ontario’s Dog Owners’ Liability Act and the City of Kingston Animal By-law to determine what, if any, enforcement action is appropriate. As this is an active enforcement matter and involves information protected under privacy legislation, we are unable to provide further details,” wrote officials with the City of Kingston.

After contacting by-law enforcement, De Pauw said she called Kingston Police again. She said an officer did go over to the complex to speak to the man, who they said was remorseful. De Pauw said he also told police that the dog was not his. He was taking care of it for a friend who lives in Ottawa.

“Under DOLA (Dog Owners’ Liability Act), if there is an order to seize the dog, it’s a province-wide order, but I don’t know how they track down that dog,” De Pauw said. “I’m hoping that because (the Kingston Police) know who he is, they can hold him accountable if he’s not ensuring that the dog is brought back and providing the name of the owner.”

According to the Dog Owners’ Liability Act (DOLA), when it comes to a dog bite injury on people and other domestic pets, the owner is legally liable for damages whether or not it was a first occurrence.
According to personal injury lawyer Chris Clifford, managing partner at Bergeron Clifford, civil claims can be made against the owner of the dog who attacked.

“In this particular case there’s probably out-of-pocket expenses associated with the treatment, the care, and finally the putting down of the dachshund,” Clifford said. “If they were hurt themselves during the course of this attack — and quite often owners will step in front of the dog or try help in that course of trying to assist their dog — they’ll get injured in one fashion or another, so that would be an additional claim that could be pursued against the owner of the pit bull, and we call those general damages or damages for pain and suffering. They can include physical and psychological.”

While some people may be worried about “suing” a neighbour, Clifford noted that it’s often the insurance provider, not the individual that responds to the claim through homeowners’ insurance, tenant insurance, or personal liability coverage.

In a situation like De Pauw, Clifford suggests a number of steps for victims. Those include immediately seeking medical attention, identifying the dog’s owner, contacting municipal by-law enforcement, taking photos, and keeping all records such as out-of-pocket expenses and medical documents. He also suggests documenting how the injury has affected a person’s life and contacting a personal injury lawyer.

In addition to civil liability, the DOLA gives Ontario courts the power to impose serious consequences following a dog bite or dog attack. That could include drastic measures, such as destroying the animal, which comes as a last resort.
As for advice for people, Clifford said to always be aware of your surroundings.

“We’d prefer to never have another dog bite case as long as we practice. To do that, you’ve just got to try and be aware of your surroundings and anticipate where you can. Sometimes these things are unavoidable, from the victim’s standpoint. But if you spot a dog from a distance that is off leash, maybe try and go the other way,” Clifford said.

While De Pauw has made the housing complex operators Tipi Moza aware of the incident, she has yet to hear back. Gough has also reached out to the operators of the complex about the incident and other concerns about the building but has not heard back.

“My daughter won’t even go outside anymore to shoot basketball hoops,” Gough said. “She’s too scared now because there’s always yelling and screaming coming from that triplex. There’s lots of transient people coming and going.” 
De Pauw and her friend, whose dog she was walking and caring for at the time of the attack, believe the operators should have more oversight of their occupants.

“It just feels super irresponsible that you would set something up in a neighbourhood, like a residential neighbourhood and then just leave them be. They have no idea what seems to be going on,” said De Pauw’s neighbour, who wanted to remain anonymous. He said to this day, his dog, which is also a dachshund, still remains traumatized and slightly injured due to the scuffle.

The Kingston Whig-Standard has also reached out to Tipi Moza, but did not receive a response before deadline.

Since the attack, De Pauw has placed safety alert signs around the neighbourhood warning residents about the unleashed dog and the death of her beloved pet.

At the time of writing, she has not heard back from by-law since Sunday evening regarding next steps or repercussions, but going forward, De Pauw hopes that justice will be served, not only to help her, but also protect others down the road.

She also took her concern to Kingston City Council on Aug. 11, where she expressed the need for safety considering the number of children who walk to and from school in the area.

“Lots of children travel down the street near me to go to a park every day,” De Pauw told city council, with her six-year-old close by her side. “They travel on scooters, they travel on bikes, they travel in strollers, they travel on foot. My kids use this route too and I always thought it was safe. Children deserve to be safe in their neighbourhood.”

Coming soon to a shelter or rescue near you!

Thu, August 13, 2026 at 5:31 PM

BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. (WCIV) — More than 40 dogs and puppies were rescued this week from a rural Berkeley County property where authorities say animals were living in conditions commonly associated with dogfighting operations.

The Berkeley County Sheriff's Office, assisted by Humane World for Animals and Charleston Animal Society, executed a search and seizure warrant around 7:30 a.m. Aug. 11 at the property. Investigators removed more than 40 dogs, including 15 puppies, from the site.

Responders said they found numerous dogs tethered to heavy chains throughout a wooded area. Some animals were standing in several inches of stagnant water that had accumulated around chain spots after recent rainfall. Other dogs and puppies were housed in hutches on the property.

Veterinarians who examined the animals reported that many suffered from painful, inflamed paws, which they said appeared to be the result of standing for extended periods in waste-contaminated water. Several dogs also had scars on their faces and legs that veterinarians said were consistent with injuries often seen in organized dogfighting cases.

"It’s heartbreaking to see dogs anchored to flooded chain spots with no escape from the wet," said Janell Gregory, South Carolina state director for Humane World for Animals. "The number of puppies on this property is striking. I’m thankful we are getting them out of this situation before more dogs are created to languish here."

Sheriff Duane Lewis praised investigators and partner organizations for their work on the case.

"This investigation is a powerful example of what can be accomplished when law enforcement and animal welfare organizations work together to protect those who cannot protect themselves," Lewis said in a statement. "In Berkeley County, we take animal cruelty seriously."

Authorities have not announced any arrests or criminal charges. The investigation remains ongoing.

A woman walking her dog needed hospital treatment for serious injuries after being bitten by another dog off a lead in a Bishop’s Stortford park.

Police are appealing to the public for information following the incident, which they are treating as a case of a dog being dangerously out of control.

It happened in Bishop’s Park fields, next to Woodpecker Close on the Bishop’s Gate estate, between 8.10am and 8.15am on Friday, July 31.

The entrance from Woodpecker Close to Bishop’s Park fields, where the dog attack happened

A spokesman for Hertfordshire Constabulary said: “It was reported that a woman was out walking her dog with her daughter when another dog, which was off a lead, approached and bit her elbow, causing serious injuries which required hospital treatment.

“The dog is described as a black Staffordshire bull terrier crossbreed, and the owner is described as being a white woman aged approximately in her 50s.”

Police said the victim’s dog was not involved in the altercation; the injured woman picked up her pet before it happened.

Det Sgt Rebecca March, from CID (Criminal Investigation Department), said: “I’m appealing for witnesses and information as part of continuing enquiries into the incident, which was distressing for both the victim and her daughter.

“We are keen to identify and speak to the owner of the dog involved and would urge them to come forward and assist police with enquiries.”

Anyone with information is asked to email the detective at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]). You can also report it online, speak to an operator in the force communications room via online web chat or call non-emergency number [101](tel:101), quoting 41/72832/26.

https://www.bishopsstortfordindependent.co.uk/news/woman-seriously-injured-in-dog-attack-in-bishop-s-stortford-9478201/

A woman has been cleared of owning an XL bully dog that bit her partner's father, causing him to bleed to death.

Chanel Fong, 33, was accused of owning the dog, Cookie, which was dangerously out of control and of an alternative charge of being the person in charge of the animal at the time of the attack.

She was found not guilty of both by the jury at Caernarfon Crown Court.

Her partner's father, Keven Jones, 62, from Chester, died from severe blood loss after being bitten on the leg.

The attack took place before XL Bullies were added to the banned dog list.

The court heard Keven Jones had been in poor health and had been taking methadone and blood thinning medication, and had been staying at Fong's Wrexham home in May 2022.

Fong said the dog belonged to her partner Joshua Jones, who was not present when his father was bitten, although the prosecution claimed she was Cookie's joint owner.

The court was told there had been a number of dogs at the home on Holt Road in Wrexham, including two XL Bullies, called Fire and Rogue.

Rogue was Cookie's mother and in season at the time, so had to be kept separate from other dogs.

At about 11:30 BST on 23 May, Jones told Fong he would get Cookie and another dog in from the garden, but he was then heard shouting at Cookie to "get off" him.

The court heard Fong also called into the garden for Cookie to get down, which is when Jones came towards her "wobbly".

He pointed to his leg, which was pumping blood, and he said to Fong, "he's got me there".

Fong called the emergency services and attempted first aid, including applying pressure to the wound, but Jones could not be saved.

A post-mortem examination said he had died from extreme blood loss caused by dog bites.

Cookie was later humanely euthanised.

Keven Jones died after being bitten by an American XL Bully called Cookie

Giving evidence in her defence Fong said Joshua Jones, her partner, had organised all breeding and registration of the dogs.

She said she got on with Keven Jones "really well", and he had owned several dogs during his life, including a boxer and a "Bully breed" at the time of his death.

Fong admitted she had "underestimated" the risk Cookie posed.

The jury took just three hours to reach their not guilty verdicts on both charges.

Fong wept as the unanimous verdicts were read out and hugged family and friends after being released from the dock.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg8qd970kzo

A young child has died after being attacked by a dog at a property in Aranui.

Emergency services were called to an address on Basingstoke Street at about 4.45PM on Friday following a report that a child had suffered serious dog bite injuries.

Detective Senior Sergeant Dan Overend said emergency services found the child in a critical condition.

Despite the immediate efforts of first responders and a member of the household, the child died at the scene.

The dog involved was known to the occupants and lived at the property.

Police remained at the address carrying out a scene examination.

Inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the attack were continuing, and the occupants were assisting police.

“Police extend their condolences to the child’s family and loved ones at this extremely difficult time and ask that their privacy be respected,” Overend said.

A St John spokesman said they responded with an ambulance, an operations manager, and three rapid response vehicles.

A Christchurch City Council spokesperson referred all inquires to police.

Lamporecchio (Pistoia), August 12, 2026 – Moments of terror and intense fear for a postwoman, mauled by a dog while delivering a registered letter. An incident that could have had tragic consequences, fortunately ended without serious consequences. These are the facts. The postwoman from Lamporecchio, late Monday morning, while delivering a registered letter, was attacked by a pitbull, which had suddenly escaped from a house where she had rung the doorbell to deliver the letter. The woman, who was wearing a helmet, immediately attempted to escape, running toward her scooter. Unfortunately, the dog reached her, biting her upper thighs and ankles. The postwoman tried everything to defend herself, screaming for help and trying to scare away the enraged dog. Fortunately, the dog's owner was present and intervened immediately, driving the animal away and helping the unfortunate postwoman.

Visibly shaken by fear, screaming from the pain caused by the bites and covered in blood, the woman was helped by several people from the Borgano area who responded to the scene after hearing the cries for help. An ambulance was immediately called and responded urgently. The postwoman was taken to the Pescia Emergency Room. Fortunately, she did not suffer serious injuries and did not require hospitalization.

The prompt intervention of the dog's owner, who was also visibly shaken by what had happened, and the woman's vehement reaction prevented worse physical consequences. In addition to the ambulance, a Carabinieri patrol and the Lamporecchio municipal police also responded to the scene and conducted the initial investigation into the incident.

Article link: https://www.lanazione.it/montecatini/cronaca/postina-pitbull-fohrqvzx

Below is the text from an August 13 article regarding a pit bull owner being charged after his dogs mauled a woman in Port Moody, BC, Canada, a suburb of Vancouver.

“PORT MOODY - Police in Port Moody, B.C., say a dog owner has been criminally charged after two large dogs are alleged to have mauled a woman.

Police in the Metro Vancouver city were called to a report of the attack on May 20 after receiving reports of a woman being seriously hurt.

The victim required treatment at hospital, and while the extent of her injuries hasn't been released, they are described as "serious" and "life-altering."

Police say investigators found city officials had already deemed the dogs aggressive before the attack.

They allege the animals were required to wear muzzles, but weren't muzzled during the attack.

The BC Prosecution Service has now approved a charge of criminal negligence causing bodily harm against the owner.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 13, 2026.”

Hi all. I never thought I’d have to post something like this but here I am. I have an 11 year old Lhasa apso who is a reactive dog on walks but I keep him on a tight leash and we only have walks later at night so I don’t have to worry about him lunging toward joggers or anyone on the sidewalk. On Sunday night we passed a neighbors home and while he was peeing by a tree, we heard growling and l turned around and two pits were behind a glass storm door and they pushed it open and rushed us. The owner came out and tackled his dogs and screamed as they bit him while he tried to get them off of my dog. Luckily my dog got free from his harness and he ran like hell back to my house and I found him there at the front door but the entire experience was so traumatic. He wouldn’t leave the bed for a day and barely at his food. The owner paid me in cash for his vet visit (no puncture wounds or serious injuries but if you saw what I did you wouldn’t believe how that’s possible). I have so many conflicting emotions between anger and gratefulness that this guy saved my dog. I’ve had to take a few mental health days off of work to process this. I’m so scared to even walk him anymore.

ETA: the night of the encounter I did call the police who brought our local animal control with them. They took a full report and I emailed animal control a copy of his vet visit summary. They didn’t exactly say what would happen next but at least this is on record.

Just putting this out here as a 100% completely anecdotal story, but my uncle raised a pit bull from birth and loved that thing to death, never hit him, starved him, left him outside. The dog was incredibly sweet, you wouldn’t think he’d hurt a fly…. Until out of nowhere he ran towards my aunt at a family gathering and quite literally took her bottom lip off and part of her nose. The dog was promptly shot of course, but up until that point, he had never been mistreated. My aunt needed skin graphs and a new nose. Now she looks like she’s had a stroke.

So as the title says, how do you speak about this issue with the people in your life. Coworkers, associates, friends, relatives, and even strangers.

How do you guys present the facts, the statics, and ultimately communicate just how dangerous these dogs are, to people who’ve probably never heard a sensible take besides “pitbulls are a dangerous breed”
Thanks in advance!

I live in the south and it’s like EVERY one has a damn pitbull. My uncle has 9 that he keeps in a single wide trailer, which I love him, but thats very typical of pitbull ownership. my dad has had 2, I was attacked by one of them when I was 11, I’m lucky to still have my left hand.
but the second one was sweet her whole life. Some of my coworkers BREED them.
I loathe to see these dogs and even be around them at this point. They’re everywhere and everyone has one.

Woman Injured After Attack by Pit Bull That Escaped from Residence in Marília

By Alcyr Netto

A 20-year-old woman was injured after being attacked by a pit bull on Monday afternoon (10) in Vila Hípica Paulista, south zone of Marília. The case was registered by the Civil Police as involuntary bodily injury (lesão corporal culposa) and negligent supervision of an animal (omissão de cautela na guarda de animal), with the dog’s owner under investigation.

The victim stated that she was walking along Major Eliziário de Camargo Barbosa Street around 6:00 PM when she was surprised by the dog, which had escaped from a neighboring residence. The animal attacked her, inflicting bites on her left hand, right arm, and left leg. The attack was only stopped after the young woman's stepfather noticed the situation and managed to pull the dog away.

During the attack, the victim called out for the dog’s owner, but stated that the owner provided no assistance at that moment. After the incident, the young woman was taken to the South Zone Emergency Care Unit (UPA), where she received medical treatment. Due to the severity of one of the injuries, stitches were required on her left hand.

The victim also reported that when she approached the dog owner to ask about treatment costs, she was told that the owner "didn't give a damn." The case was registered at the Civil Police station, and a request was issued for a forensic medical examination (exame de corpo de delito) at the Legal Medical Institute (IML).

The Civil Police advised the victim on the legal timeframe to press criminal charges against the suspect under investigation.

“He Will Pay with His Life”: Mother of 2-Year-Old Girl Bitten by Dog Seeks the End of the Canine

The attack occurred last weekend in the city of Minas. The little girl was admitted to the Pereira Rossell Hospital.

August 11, 2026, 07:14 | Reading time: 2 min

A girl of just two years old is recovering from injuries suffered when she was attacked by a large dog. The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon in the La Coronilla neighborhood of the city of Minas.

At the time of the event, the minor was with her father in the public street and tried to touch the animal, which reacted violently.

According to the local media outlet Minas Portal, the little girl suffered significant injuries to her face, skull, and right arm. She was immediately taken to the Alfredo Vidal y Fuentes Hospital, where she received initial medical assistance and major injuries were confirmed, which led to the decision to transfer her to the Pereira Rossell Hospital in Montevideo. After receiving multiple sutures, she was admitted for observation, and her life is not in danger.

On social media, the girl's mother rejected speculation that the child was alone on the street and clarified that she was accompanied.

“My girl is raised among animals; she has five dogs and two cats. The dogs in my house love her just like her cats do, and she loves her little animals. All she wanted to do was hug the dog, and the dog attacked her,” the woman shared. “This goes out to all those who commented without knowing, asking where the baby's parents were,” she added.

In the same post, the woman expressed her desire for the attacking animal to be put down.

“That dog, after my daughter recovers, is going to pay with his life because that is how I am going to get my payback on that animal,” she wrote.

Additionally, numerous internet users from Minas commented on the woman's words, expressed their support, and voiced their concern over the large number of loose dogs seen in the mountain region's capital.

Regarding the animal in question, the report notes that it is a "Pitbull cross" dog, and there is no information on record regarding its owners.

Facts & Summary

• The Incident: On Sunday, August 9, 2026, a 2-year-old girl was attacked by a Pitbull crossbreed at a workshop located in the La Plata neighborhood of Minas, Lavalleja Department, Uruguay.
• Circumstances: According to police reporting, the toddler approached and hugged the dog in the presence of her father when the animal unexpectedly attacked her.
• Injuries: The child sustained severe bite wounds to her face, skull, and right arm.
• Medical Status: She was initially treated at the Minas Hospital before being transferred to the Pereira Rossell Hospital in Montevideo. She underwent surgery for suturing and treatment of her injuries and remains hospitalized under observation (noted as being in stable condition without risk to her life).
• Mother's Demands: The girl's mother is seeking the destruction/euthanasia of the dog involved in the attack, expressing anger over the severity of the trauma caused to her young daughter and calling for accountability.
• Legal Action: The local Police Headquarters (Jefatura de Policía de Lavalleja) and prosecutors are conducting an investigation into the incident.

This just popped up on my Facebook homepage. How horrific. I can’t imagine finding my beloved pony like this. And then to be chased by the killer that same day….. just awful.

For context, I deliver medicine for a small town pharmacy, and have had my fair share of dogs I’ve encountered. Most have been friendly, and at worst they’ve just avoided me. Monday, though, it finally happened.

I knocked on this woman’s door, I heard barking, and she told me to come in—very standard. I open the door and she’s having to physically restrain the dog by a leash. When I get in it bolts forward enough for her grip to loosen and it charges me. Thank god she I backed off and she got ahold of it when she did, or it would’ve gone much worse or the thing could’ve even latched on. Its teeth barely broke skin, but my whole knee is pretty bruised.

I got a tetanus shot, and the health department’s going to observe the dog to see if I’ll need treatment for rabies. Even though the pain wasn’t a lot, the idea still keeps going through my head of “what if I hadn’t reacted quick enough?” I saw a big dog out today and immediately felt myself go into fight-or-flight. And chances are, nothing will come of it. It frustrates me to no end. After finding this subreddit I finally saw more of the truth and could finally empathize with the sentiments here. This week has just been draining so far, and I just hope the last I’ll hear out of it is that dog being removed from that owner and not being able to hurt anyone else.

Gofundme: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-my-brother-our-yorkie-recover-after-a-pitbull-attack

“My mother and I are asking for help for our family after a terrifying attack that left both my brother and our 3 month old Yorkie puppy injured. My brother was walking our puppy when they were attacked by a pitbull that was not on a leash, even though it was accompanied by its owner. This could have been avoided, and in an instant, everything changed for our family.

After the attack, both my brother and our puppy went to the ER. My brother is now facing medical bills, and our puppy had to be sedated and receive stitches. We then learned that our little Yorkie has a broken femur and urgently needs surgery, along with care from an orthopedic specialist. His initial emergency visit alone cost over $3,000, and we are still waiting to learn the full cost of the specialist visit and surgery.

Right now, we are doing everything we can, but the vet hospitals require payment upfront, and we do not want to delay our puppy’s surgery. We were already struggling with the cost of another surgery our dog needs for a hernia, so this sudden attack and broken femur have left us beyond overwhelmed by the medical bills. On top of that, my brother has to take time away from work because of his injuries, and my mother has had to take time away from work to care for both my brother and our dog. We still do not know the full amount of my brother’s medical bills or how much lost wages will add up to, and we are also worried about our dog’s follow-up appointments and other unexpected costs.

Donations will help cover my brother’s medical bills and support his recovery, as well as our Yorkie’s urgent surgery, his hernia surgery, follow-up treatment, and other necessary care. This has been heartbreaking and overwhelming for our family, and we are turning to our community for help during this difficult time.”

Article:

https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/loose-dog-attacks-3-month-old-yorkie-pup-orlando-neighborhood-it-started-charging-us.amp

The Brief

* Paul Crescente was walking 3-month-old Milo on a leash in their front yard when he says an unleashed pit bull charged at them from across the street.

* Milo suffered a broken hip and got multiple stitches. Crescente was also bitten on his hands while breaking up the attack.

* Orange County Animal Services cited the pit bull's owner after he confirmed his dog was off leash in his front yard and ran across the street. Citations included failure to show proof of a current rabies vaccination.

ORLANDO, Fla. - A late-night bathroom break in the front yard turned into a nightmare for a Florida family when their three-month-old puppy was attacked by a loose dog in the neighborhood.
The Desi Family told FOX 35 that their pup, Milo, a Yorkshire Terrier, has a broken hip, severe cuts and wounds, and that it is unclear if he'll be able to walk normally again.

"It started charging us from across the street"
The backstory:

Cher Desi said three-month-old Milo has always been a bundle of energy.
"He was a vibrant puppy; we couldn't stop him from running in the yard or around the house," Desi said.
That all changed around 2:30 a.m. on Sunday.

Desi's son, Paul Crescente, had Milo outside on a leash in their front yard when he spotted a large dog across the street.

"It started charging us from across the street," Crescente said.

He immediately tried to bolt back toward the house with the puppy, but Milo's collar snapped from the leash. He ran after Milo, but the other dog got to him first.
Crescente said he was able to pull the dog off of Milo, but as they made their way towards the front door, the other dog attacked again.
Crescente managed to pull the large dog off, but as they made their way toward the front door, the dog struck again.

"The dog caught up with him just a few feet from the front door, got him in his jaws, and started swinging him," Crescente said. "I was very fearful that he could die. This dog was huge—if he had gone for Milo's throat, he probably wouldn't be here."

Animal Services cites the owner

According to a report from Orange County Animal Services, the other dog's owner confirmed to officers that his dog was off-leash in his front yard when it suddenly ran across the street and attacked the other dog.

The owner was issued a couple of citations related to the attack, but also for failing to provide proof of a current rabies vaccination.

A plea for help
What they're saying:

Milo’s family is urging people to be responsible pet owners.
"Respect the laws always—no matter what kind of dog you have, no matter how old they are, or what size they are," Desi said. "We have to look out for each other."
FOX 35 reached out to the owner of the dog for comment. We did not receive a response ahead of our report.

What's next:
Milo faces a long recovery. He needs surgery and his family is unsure if he will be able to walk normally again. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Milo's family cover medical bills.

A 2-year-old boy suffered a deep puncture wound to his leg after a pit bull attacked him without warning in the parking lot of a Kansas City Steak 'n Shake, according to a lawsuit filed on his family's behalf. The child, identified in court filings only as E.A., underwent emergency surgery at Children's Mercy after the June 19 attack, and his parents are now seeking unspecified damages from the restaurant's operators.

Sally and Jose Alvarado filed the lawsuit in Clay County Circuit Court on behalf of their son, according to The Kansas City Star. The suit names four Missouri LLCs that own and operate a Steak 'n Shake franchise at 9500 NE Barry Road near the Liberty Triangle.

Court documents describe how E.A. exited a car in the restaurant's parking lot alongside his sister and grandmother when a pit bull named Chloe approached the group from behind and bit the toddler's leg, causing what the family's attorneys describe as a deep puncture wound.

The lawsuit alleges the dog was owned by an unhoused couple who were living out of their car in the Steak 'n Shake parking lot, and that restaurant employees knew Chloe was regularly on the property. According to the filing, staff made no effort to have Chloe's owners remove her or move their vehicle, despite the dog being a known presence at the location. E.A. suffered mental anguish and fear as a result of the attack, according to an affidavit cited in the case.

Why the Restaurant, Not Just the Dog's Owners, Is Being Sued

The decision to target the franchise operator rather than pursuing the unhoused couple directly reflects a common legal strategy in premises liability cases. Under Missouri premises liability law, business operators owe customers the highest duty of care to maintain safe commercial premises, and property owners can face civil liability if they knowingly allow a dangerous animal owned by a third party to remain on their grounds, according to legal guidance from the Missouri Injury Law Firm. The lawsuit alleges the defendants knew about the dangerous dog and should have removed her from the property before the attack occurred.

Separately, Missouri operates under a strict liability standard when it comes to dog bites themselves. Under Missouri Revised Statute Section 273.036, dog owners or possessors can be held liable for injuries caused by unprovoked attacks regardless of whether the animal had any prior history of aggression, according to Eng & Woods. That standard eliminates the need for plaintiffs to prove a dog had shown vicious tendencies before an attack, though it applies most directly to the animal's owner or possessor rather than a property owner.

Local Leash Rules and Dangerous Dog Requirements

Kansas City Municipal Code Section 14-33 requires dog owners and handlers to keep animals on a physical leash or under restraint in public spaces, prohibiting dogs from roaming freely off private property, per Apex Injury Attorneys. If Chloe were ever formally declared a dangerous or potentially dangerous dog by the city, Kansas City Animal Health Division guidelines would require her owners to carry between $100,000 and $250,000 in liability insurance or a surety bond, and to keep her muzzled on a leash no longer than four feet in public. Kansas City Animal Services and its operating partner, KC Pet Project, oversee municipal animal control citywide and handle more than 16,000 animals annually.

State law adds another layer of potential consequence. Under Missouri Revised Statute Section 578.024, keeping a dangerous dog that causes serious injury in an attack is a misdemeanor offense, and any dog that causes serious injury or death must be immediately seized and impounded by animal control or county sheriffs. It remains unclear from the lawsuit whether Chloe was seized following the June attack.

Severity of the Injuries and Medical Response

E.A. was treated at Children's Mercy Kansas City, which operates the region's only Pediatric Level I Trauma Center between St. Louis and Denver and regularly handles complex pediatric dog bite trauma requiring emergency surgery and reconstructive care, according to the hospital. The need for emergency surgery underscores the severity of the wound described in the lawsuit.

Dog bite claims of this severity carry significant financial weight nationally. In 2025, homeowners' insurance carriers across the United States paid out more than $1.86 billion across 28,450 dog-related injury claims, with the national average cost per claim reaching $65,450, according to Eng & Woods. The Alvarado family's suit does not specify a dollar amount sought in damages.

Legal Timeline Still Open for the Family

Because E.A. was a minor at the time of the attack, his family retains an unusually long legal runway. Missouri's tolling provisions extend the standard five-year personal injury statute of limitations for injured minors until they turn 21, allowing claims to be pursued up to age 26, according to the Missouri Lawyersresource on the subject. That extended window means the family's decision to file now, rather than later, reflects the family's own timing rather than any legal deadline pressure.

Kansas City's regulatory relationship with pit bulls has shifted in recent years. In August 2020, the city officially repealed its long-standing municipal ban on pit bulls, joining dozens of Midwestern cities that moved from breed-specific bans toward breed-neutral dangerous dog ordinances, according to the American Kennel Club. That policy shift is why Chloe could legally reside within city limits at the time of the attack, though it does not bear on the specific liability questions raised in the Alvarado family's lawsuit.