A teenager, a man and two women were all taken to the hospital because of their injuries.
MINNEAPOLIS — A northeast Minneapolis family is home and recovering Monday after their pitbull attacked them Sunday night.
“He's never been like that,” Sherry, one of the women attacked, said.
“I just don't understand why he did that yesterday,” she continued.
Sherry is one of four people with wounds from that pitbull, including another woman, a man and a 13-year-old. She says the dog has been aggressive before, but never to this extent.
“But it was like when my son finally came in, he was just mad,” Sherry said. “Because he stood there, just barking and growling at my son before he even touched him.”
Sherry says her son was trying to tighten the dog's leash when it got loose, attacking her son. She says it bit his arms, leg and back, before turning on Sherry's daughter, and eventually her.
“When he got me, my grandson picked him up and threw him,” she said. “He came back instantly.”
Sherry says a neighbor heard their cries for help, and ran over with a bat, using it to get the dog off of them. She says she's grateful for that neighbor's help and the first responders who took them to the hospital.
“He bit me in my stomach,” Sherry said.
The pitbull was taken to Minneapolis Animal Care & Control. City officials say the dog was initially held for a bite quarantine. The city confirmed to KARE 11 Monday afternoon that the dog was humanely euthanized for rabies testing and out of concern for public safety. There had been no prior history with MACC and the dog.
Sherry says she's now wary of the breed after Sunday. Pitbull advocacy groups say there are complex factors that can lead to pitbull's behavior.
Sara Romdenne, Director for Unbreakabull Pit Bull Rescue in Minneapolis, says “all dogs, including pit bulls, are individuals, and their behavior is shaped by a complex interaction between genetics and environment.” Romdenne continues by saying “while some may argue that Pit Bulls are inherently aggressive, research indicates that their behavior is significantly influenced by their upbringing, training, and experiences. Both nature and nurture play crucial roles, and responsible ownership, early socialization, and consistent training are essential for shaping a Pit Bull's temperament.”
Sherry and her family are now home recovering. She says that while their physical wounds will eventually heal, the emotional scars will last long after those wounds fade away.
“Last night, I just couldn't get to sleep,” she said. “I just kept seeing it happen.”
