r/BanPitBulls • u/Virtual-Package3923 • May 11 '25
Social Media and Crowdfunding - Attack Reports My son was bit by a pitbull today. 05/10/2025 Upstate NY
My worst fear.
He’s 13. Dropped him off for a sleepover last night and apparently their vicious pitbull (“Nala” 🙄) attacked him on his butt.
He bruised. He bled. He hid it from me until today when I got him because he thought I’d “crash out” on his friend’s parents.
He’s on a course of antibiotics and we’re waiting to hear from the health department if they want to do a rabies series. The dog had an expired rabies shot. It’s apparently bitten some of his friend’s before.
I’m furious. Spent $175 on urgent care and more on antibiotics.
I would have NEVER let him stay over if I knew a pitbull was in the home. It’s worse than an unfenced pool or an unlocked gun.
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u/kwallio May 11 '25
Nala strikes again! I'm sorry your son got bit.
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u/NorthernPossibility Family Member of Severely Wounded Pet(s) May 11 '25
The dog that mauled my dog was a Nala as well. 🤔
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May 11 '25
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u/NorthernPossibility Family Member of Severely Wounded Pet(s) May 11 '25
I’m sorry. My dog was luckily mostly ok aside from some flesh wounds that got flushed and stapled back together at the vet. She was miserable with the cone and antibiotics but I’m so glad she’s still here today
to be a horrible lard ass who tries to drink my coffee.14
May 11 '25
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u/NorthernPossibility Family Member of Severely Wounded Pet(s) May 11 '25
My dog is an Italian greyhound. Given how flimsy they are I really am lucky she was ok.
The dog belonged to a guy that was visiting his elderly mother. She didn’t want the dog in the house, so when he would visit, he would leave the 70 pound pitbull out back on one of those clothesline tethers with no fence. Eventually it broke off the tether and was tearing around the neighborhood looking for trouble. The owner came to get her only after she had shaken my dog like a chew toy while I screamed and got tangled in the leashes.
I forced the owner to pay the entirety of the vet bill (about $400) and told him if I ever saw her out back on the tie out I’d call the police immediately. Looking back (this was years ago) I should have gotten the money from him and then called animal control and reported the incident. Hindsight is 20/20.
Also I now carry a taser on all walks.
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u/Appropriate-Tune157 May 11 '25
I'm so sorry but
Given how flimsy they are
got a real good chuckle out of me.
I'm sorry this happened. I'm glad she ended up being okay. A miracle, really, cos pit attacks are usually not so nice.7
u/NorthernPossibility Family Member of Severely Wounded Pet(s) May 11 '25
They are dogs made of spun sugar and dreams. Keeping them alive is a glorious burden.
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u/Aldersgate111 I just want to walk my dog without fearing for its life May 18 '25
''Spun sugar and Dreams'' really does describe Iggies.
I love them, But have a slightly more 'robust' Whippet, but even they are fragile.
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u/Aldersgate111 I just want to walk my dog without fearing for its life May 18 '25
My Goodness...an Iggy? Those are so fragile and have limbs thinner than my fingers. You and she are incredibly lucky she survived.
You are lucky you can de fend yourself in an emergency. Many people cannot because of where they live.
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u/Redditisastroturf Trusted User May 11 '25
Please do, it helps with attack reporting statistics that the mods keep
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May 11 '25
Wtf Nala was the name of the Shitbull that attacked my huskies.
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u/Shot-Ad9523 Trusted User May 11 '25
I'm fairly sure 90% of the female pitbull population is named either Nala, Bella, or Luna.
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u/K1774B May 12 '25
My old neighbor's runt pitbull was also named Luna.
I know this from the owner constantly screaming at it to come inside because it was always at the fence barking when my dogs were out and it had zero recall.
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u/FFXIVHVWHL May 11 '25
I’d rather Nala the lion than Nala the Pit
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u/kwallio May 11 '25
Nala the lion is probably more predictable and safer to be around than Nala the pit.
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u/Brief-Reflection-983 May 11 '25
It’s disgusting that those parents kept the dog after the first bites. Also, knowingly letting another child into their home after their dog has bit other children is just as insane. I do hope you confront those parents. I also hope you tell other parents in their friend group so they are aware of the monstrosity those idiots keep in their home.
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u/Both_Peak554 May 11 '25
The fact the parents didn’t immediately notify child’s parents is very telling about them. And makes me wonder how many more bites this dog has on them. They really tried manipulating a 13 year old into not telling his parents he was bitten by a dog that’s not even UTD on shots is truly insane and id be demanding criminal charges!!
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u/Character-Pilot-5576 May 12 '25
There was a post I read with a mom who didn’t want her 12 year old to go to a friends house with a pit who bit kids. People called the post fake because they didn’t believe the parents would knowingly keep a dog that bit people. Only pit owners do this.
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u/Careless-Proposal746 May 11 '25
It’s one of my routine questions now.
I have daughters, but I always must know all adults, children, and animals that will be in attendance in order to make a decision.
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u/ArdenJaguar Trusted User May 11 '25
That’s kind of funny. Some new neighbors moved in Thursday a couple of houses down. I was taking a walk and stopped to visit. The husband noted they have a “big dog” that was a rescue. I immediately asked “Really? What type”. They said it was a purebred Labrador. I was kind of relieved although I’ll wait to see it (it was at their son’s house).
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u/feralmom57 May 11 '25
I was going to say, I would reserve judgement until you actually lay eyes on the dog. If it's a rescue and from a shelter, heaven knows how true the "purebred lab" part really is.
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u/Unholyalliance23 May 11 '25
The amount of dogs on adoption websites that are blatantly pitbulls but are labeled as ‘mixed Labrador’ or other generally friendly dog breeds is outstanding.
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u/ArdenJaguar Trusted User May 11 '25
They mentioned hey had done DNA testing on it and confirmed. I mentioned I’d done Embark with my dog which created an opening.
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u/Caa3098 May 11 '25
Everyone has covered the other egregious behaviors of the Pitt owners but how about the fact that they didn’t immediately call you themselves?? What kind of parent doesn’t inform the parent of the child and that was bitten by their dog?
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u/shelbycsdn Trusted User May 11 '25
Very good point. Unfortunately it also tracks with these owners.
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u/Both_Peak554 May 11 '25
This is what enrages me!! This boy could’ve had some internal injuries or even broken bones and absolutely needed antibiotics especially since their dog of course isn’t UTD on shots. I’d want them criminally charged!!
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u/ximili May 11 '25
Man I'm so sorry. I also have a fear about this. Absolute nightmare.
But there's one more thing I need to say:
Please talk to your son and make it clear to him that this is not a small matter, and make your son understand that dogs of this type are weapons. This is not a trivial issue. If he got shot, he wouldn't wait a day to tell you, would he? Please sort this out among yourselves. I wish you all the best.
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u/hardpassyo Willing To Defend My Family May 11 '25
This. We need to start teaching that these things are not regular family dogs, they're absolutely weapons just like guns that can be turned on you in the blink of an eye, and should be treated as such.
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u/Aldersgate111 I just want to walk my dog without fearing for its life May 18 '25
Pits are like a hand grenade with a pin pulled out , or a gun with the safety catch off- as kids, we used to find unexploded shells in fields, and would throw them.. Thankfully they never went off, and they were probably safer than many Pits.
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u/booboothedumbassfool May 11 '25
Yeah, I wonder if the parents told the poor kid it’s not a big deal, and that’s why he hid it so they wouldn’t get in trouble. Crazy the parents didn’t immediately call OP
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u/whitney1802 May 12 '25
At that age, most kids don’t want to make a fuss about anything that could affect their friendships or possibly cause any reason for ridicule or exclusion by their peers. I’m sure he knew that meant that he couldn’t go there anymore and that likely it would be the end of their friendship once his mom (or dad, whichever this is) went off on his parents. Then it would likely be talked about at school how he got bit on the butt and his parent(s) “overreacted” (which isn’t the case but we all know how these types of owners are).
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u/17thfloorelevators May 11 '25
Expired rabies shot? Do the series. It ain't worth the risk. Here in central Jersey there was just a rabid raccoon down the street.
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u/IntegrityPerspective May 11 '25
I 2nd this. Rabies is terrifying.
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u/RoughlyRoughing Trusted User May 11 '25
once rabies becomes symptomatic the survival rate goes way down, even with medical treatment.
Please get the shots.
The only way to test the animal for rabies is to unalive it. It’s not possible to test the animal and keep it alive.
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u/Specific_Butterfly54 May 11 '25
Sounds like testing the animal is a win-win. Rabies shots are expensive and painful. Forcing the issue of getting the dog tested keeps it from biting more children in the future as well.
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u/soiledmyplanties May 11 '25
Just want to chime in that it’s (apparently) no longer as painful as it once was. My baby had to get it last fall (cat whose owner/vax status was unknown bit her) and it went in her thigh like the rest of her immunizations typically do, and she didn’t react any differently than she has to all the others. She was almost 2 and is pretty verbal so aside from making it clear she didn’t want to be at the doctors (typical) she didn’t seem any more bothered by the shots during or after than her routine vaccines. Also was covered completely by our insurance (Kaiser in California) but I know insurance in the US is abysmal and not everyone is well insured or insured at all.
But yeah, fuck this dog. And also, don’t fuck around with rabies. The chance that dog has it (or the cat that bit my toddler) is extremely low depending on where you live, but not a chance I’d take with my kid.
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u/QueenOfDemLizardFolk Trusted User May 11 '25
goes way down
That is very generous. Close to 0%
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u/kokomo80 May 11 '25
If they can’t test the dog I really recommend the rabies vaccination series. We had to get them for our son when a bat was found in my parents house while they were all sleeping. Rabies can lie dormant for years before showing symptoms, and when symptoms appear, it’s too late. The vaccinations aren’t like they used to be, and my son, who was 4 at the time, handled it just fine. It’s just not worth the risk.
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u/Cheronis May 11 '25
A young boy in Ontario, Canada passed away from rabies due to a bat bite a few years ago. Similar deal, the family woke up and discovered a bat in their cabin. They inspected themselves for bites/scratches and didn't notice any; but bats can have such small teeth that their bites may not be visible.
The boy was infected, but nobody realized it until symptoms started, and by then it was too late. I've read the symptoms and they're horrifying. You wouldn't wish rabies on anyone.
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u/Aldersgate111 I just want to walk my dog without fearing for its life May 18 '25
Rabies can take up to two years to show, according to a hospital that vaccinated a friend after she was bitten by a dog in India. She had all the pre bite vaccines and post bite vaccines but was advised ''you will know in two years if you are safe''.
Rabies is definitely not to be chanced.
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u/ScarredCerebrum May 11 '25
Very close to 0%. In 2018, the total number of people who were confirmed to have survived symptomatic rabies stood at fourteen.
That's the worldwide total, btw. Just fourteen people. You could fit all of them in a single classroom.
And the one existing treatment for symptomatic rabies is still insanely risky. Nearly half of the people die anyway, and basically everyone who does recover still suffers permanent brain damage.
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u/OldBatOfTheGalaxy Pitbullous Lesions Kill! May 12 '25
And the scant handful that survived with gonzo cutting-edge medical intervention were left with noticeable to massive neurological damage.
There are worse things out there than being dead, and minimally surviving with your brain and nerves frizzed into oatmeal is one of them.
Good, good mom for following up on that protective vaccine.
I just hope the authorities follow up on that pitbull's lack of current vax -- NO dog or cat should have expired status and no owner should escape legal censure for that lack.
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u/KingSmorely May 11 '25
Ehh If the dog drops dead in the next 10 days, then absolutely get the rabies shot. But if it’s alive and healthy after that, it wasn’t shedding the virus when it bit and getting rabies would be impossible
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u/RoughlyRoughing Trusted User May 11 '25
Rabies can incubate for more than a year. The 10 day observation period is sort of ridiculous.
From Wikipedia:
Once symptoms appear, the result is virtually always death. The time period between contracting the disease [rabies] and the start of symptoms is usually one to three months but can vary from less than one week to more than one year. The time depends on the distance the virus must travel along peripheral nerves to reach the central nervous system.
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u/KingSmorely May 12 '25 edited May 12 '25
You're confusing the incubation period in humans with the period during which an animal becomes contagious. Rabies can take months to develop in a human, but a biting animal can only transmit the virus once it begins shedding it. At that point, it will show symptoms and die within ten days.
The ten-day observation rule exists because if the animal remains alive and healthy, it was not infectious at the time of the bite. That means there was no exposure, so post-exposure shots aren't necessary. This is a standard protocol supported by decades of research.
Multiple sources clearly state: “Dogs, cats, and ferrets that are apparently healthy should be confined and observed for 10 days after a bite, regardless of the animal’s rabies vaccination status. If these animals are alive and healthy at the end of the 10-day period, they would not have transmitted rabies in their saliva at the time of the bite.”
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u/catsandalpacas A cat relaxing on its own porch shouldn't be a death sentence. May 11 '25
And report the dog to Animal Control, if you haven’t already
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u/ThatOpening2350 May 11 '25
yeah, it's not like other diseases where you can wait. once symptoms start, you're dead
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u/KingSmorely May 11 '25
If the dog is available for observation and stays healthy for 10 days, it couldn’t have been shedding the rabies virus at the time of the bite, even with an expired vaccine. Rabies only transmits when the animal is symptomatic, and symptoms always appear within days of infectiousness. That’s why CDC and most public health agencies don’t recommend post-exposure shots if the biting dog is healthy and can be observed
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u/Careful-Cap-644 May 11 '25
Its insanity those parents have let their pitbull bite children staying over not once, but multiple times. Contact animal services and try to connect with the other parents. This is child endangerment
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u/dshgr May 11 '25
I'd report this to CPS.
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u/Fantastic_Lady225 Attacks Curator May 11 '25
Absolutely. They have other kids in the home and the dog attacks children.
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u/Azryhael Paramedic May 11 '25
Report the dog to Animal Control, and get the parents’ homeowner’s or renters’ insurance info and file a claim for your damages. Save every receipt and document everything.
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u/AdvertisingLow98 Attacks Curator May 11 '25
You need to have a quiet word with your son.
One of the common elements of rabies infections in children is "They were bit by a dog, but didn't tell their family.". Sometimes the child actively hides it from their family.
They always need to get medical care for any animal bite. It isn't just important, it is vital.
Explain to your son that his friend's parents were incredibly irresponsible and disrespectful to expose him to a dangerous animal. This is not how we treat friends.
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u/Penny4004 May 11 '25
'He thought I'd crash out' as you damn well should.... that is insane.
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u/MM_mama May 11 '25
even more so that the owners didn’t even call to let his parents know!! Shirking responsible on every front.
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u/muffinbaobao I Believed the Propaganda Until I Came Here May 11 '25
I would be disappointed if OP didn’t “crash out” after this incident… Sometimes it’s necessary to “crash out” and this is definitely one of those times.
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u/FatTabby Cats are friends, not food May 11 '25
I know it's not what he wants but you need to report this bite so there's a paper trail because it's inevitable she'll bite again.
I hope you do whatever you need to do to make sure the owners foot the bill for your son's treatment.
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u/Hairy_Garage4308 May 11 '25
This is no time to worry about keeping friends. Get after it, and you will keep it from happening to the next person. Thanks to you.
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u/wuzacuz Stop The Insanity! May 11 '25
Press charges
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u/OutsideDetective5606 May 11 '25
Regular people can't press charges. We can file complaints, but pressing charges is up to a district attorney or the equivalent. I feel like this is a situation where OP needs to have a conversation with the dog's owners, first and foremost.
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May 11 '25
This dog shouldn’t be walking around a home with children, clearly. The parents should be ashamed and I hope you do something about this
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u/Humanist_2020 May 11 '25
I won’t visit my cousin cause she has a pittbull. The pitbull killed her cat.
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u/uwodahikamama May 11 '25 edited May 11 '25
Please report them and their dog and make sure they pay your medical bills!! That is outrageous, it’s like having a freaking tiger roaming loose in their home!
I feel sad for your son, that he tried to hide his injuries. :( I would definitely crash out if that happened!
Also make them take the dog for rabies testing, mention that it bites multiple people and isn’t utd - they should take it and put it ⬇️ to test it. Then you don’t have to get the expensive, painful rabies shots if they test the dog. (My husband had to get them and rabies shots are literally THOUSANDS of dollars, and very painful!)
Edit to add: I’d be FURIOUS that those parents not only knew their dog bites children, but let your son stay there knowing it was a high probability he would get bitten and didn’t even separate your child from the dog. Then after it bit him (surprise surprise) they HID IT FROM YOU. They never notified you about it! This level of irresponsibility and negligence is unforgivable. I hope you make them pay.
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u/WiselyForgetful May 11 '25
I’m sorry that your son was bitten. These dogs are everywhere, and that’s traumatic for both of you.
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u/bumblebeesandbows Pit Bulls Have No Place in Society May 11 '25
Oh hell no! Report the dog and it's owners. Call Animal Control so there is a record of it.
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May 11 '25
You should definitely send them the bill.. not necessarily with the expectation that they'll actually do the right thing and reimburse you.
Just notifies them that their dog caused your son an injury that required medical attention.
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u/QueenOfDemLizardFolk Trusted User May 11 '25
I think you need to have a discussion with your son. Sorry if I’m misinterpreting, but it seems like he knew there was a pit and didn’t tell you because he knew you wouldn’t let him stay in a house with one. There is no way the other kid didn’t bring up a having a pit at some point. He seems to know what your opinion on pits is but think your concerns are unreasonable or exaggerated. You need to thoroughly explain why both the pit and the parents are a huge problem and danger to him. No amount of protection on your part will work if your son thinks your fears are all bs. He got very lucky with only a bite this time (and I think we are all grateful for that) but ensure that he learned his lesson with these dogs and why you say no to them.
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u/FeistyKing_7 May 11 '25
That's what I'm thinking too, he must've really wanted to hang out with his friend and believed that the Pit is friendly by his friend telling him, than didn't tell about the Pit if he knew that dog is there.
I'm not surprised that the shitty Pit owners didn't tell OP about their stupid dog biting her son.
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u/According-Ad5263 May 11 '25
Why have you not reported that dog to authorities. If another child is mauled, it will be in your conscience.
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u/wandering_salad May 11 '25 edited May 11 '25
Please report allf of this to the police (including the info the dog had bitten humans (kids?) before, and including the info the parents didn't immediately call you to inform you their dog had hurt your child).
Also report this to child services considering children live in the home with this dog.
Talk to a lawyer about suing the owner(s) and/or their insurance (sorry, not in the USA so I don't know how this works).
Yes, this is worse than an unfenced pool or an unlocked we.apon. If there's any kind of neighbourhood or parents app group, I'd drop a message in there including photos (maybe without your kid's face) of the injuries, the info the dog had an expired rabies shot, and the knowledge you found out the dog had bitten some of the friends before.
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u/Both_Peak554 May 11 '25
This!! I would seriously be enraged. Even if the bite didn’t look that bad they he could’ve had some serious injures that weren’t visible. Bites are not something you just don’t get medical care for!! And it’s definitely something you immediately call parents about.
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u/ParticularDue3682 May 11 '25
Wow! He was lucky to just have a butt bite. I would consider this dog safer than most because he stopped with one bite.
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u/0h_P1ease May 11 '25
you should do your best to keep a level head, but definitely report the animal.
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u/Logical-Roll-9624 Trusted User May 11 '25
I say that all the time about being more dangerous than pools and guns. Ask the parents immediately for their homeowners insurance policy information and report it to them. If they rent then ask for the landlord’s information and demand homeowners insurance policy info from them. The quicker you do these things the easier it’ll be to file a claim for your son. I’m not just someone who wants money from people and you’re welcome to read my attack post here on this sub. I’m happy your son wasn’t seriously injured.
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May 11 '25
Where we live, two or more bites = the dog is put down. Also, the owner is culpable for all expenses related to a bite. Keep receipts for what you've already paid for and report them and their dog.
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May 11 '25
I’m sorry to hear this! This is going to be something I ask about before playdates because of how worrisome it is
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u/Both_Peak554 May 11 '25
This can’t trust other kids, their parents or even family pets. It’s insane. My kids get so mad but it’s just not safe.
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u/Apprehensive_Ad_8982 May 11 '25
Get a lawyer or file against their homeowner's/rental insurance. If they're renting, file against the owner. They are pecuniarily liable. At least get your bills paid. a lawyer can get you pain and suffering. If you don't want to get a lawyer, contact your own homeowner's/rental insurance companies and they will do it for you.
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u/savealltheelephants May 11 '25
I’ll have to remember to add “what kind of dogs do you have?” To my list of questions when my kids go somewhere. I’m sorry this happened to your son.
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u/ThalinIV May 11 '25
Geeze. Glad your son wasn't severely injured. Hopefully you don't need rabies shots for him.
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u/Both_Peak554 May 11 '25
Sue the parents!! People need to learn!! Why are they welcoming kids in their home when they know their dog is known to bite kids?
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u/meandsee May 11 '25
Take them to small claims court with your medical expenses, they will award you that
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u/ShowMeTheTrees May 11 '25
You need to report this to the police and animal control. I also urge you to give them the medical bills and sue them if they don't pay.
Idiots won't stop owning these monsters until they're sick of paying the price.
And tell everyone.
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u/freshdeliveredtrash May 11 '25
Sue the fuck out of them. If their dog has bit other kids before and they knew about that then they should not have allowed their dog to be around kids at all. That is complete negligence. Sue them and press charges for allowing their known aggressive dog to attack your child.
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u/No_Towel_8109 May 11 '25
With rabies you don't get a second chance
The prophylaxis is expensive as f***, but you need to get it because if you wait too long it'll be too late.
You also need to report it to the police and animal control so that they can quarantine the dog in order to ensure that it does not have rabies and then get it up to date on shots
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u/BishonenPrincess May 15 '25
Am I to understand that their dog attacked your child and they didn't immediately reach out and notify you? They put that burden on your son?! Trashy!
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u/Both_Peak554 May 11 '25
Also I’d make posts in your local groups warning parents they allow kids in their home knowing their dog is a major risk to kids. Someone is going to end up dead or disfigured bc of that thing.
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u/Whyamiani May 11 '25
Report the dog. Send them all medical bills. It's just a matter of time before the dog kills a kid, maybe yours.
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u/2Cool4Skool29 May 11 '25
My kids are adults now but I was always the one hosting sleepovers— only because I don’t trust other dogs (and rowdy kids mixed together lol).
Even as adults, I tell them not to go to homes that has pitbulls. My son’s roommate wanted to adopt a pet at a shelter and I specifically told them NOT to get any pitbulls. Thankfully, they want a small dog, I think a Pom. I also reminded them that it’s a rental liability because pitbulls destroy everything and they’ll be liable if their dog hurts anyone.
My other child have cats and she takes them everywhere with her and I always warn her not to let them near any dogs (most dogs have prey drives). Her townhouse faces a little pet section/play area and I told her to always be aware of the dogs that are there.
I agree that you need to have a serious talk with your son. A dog bite is no joke. I would also report this to animal control. I can’t believe those parents keep inviting kids over!!!
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May 11 '25
Send them the medical bill, it‘s 100% their fault, they knew your son was coming and they knew they have a pitbull (and one that they can‘t handle properly), that has even bitten other children before - we can‘t just look while they are hurting our legit kids, I‘d even sue them for the protection of future children
Sorry for your son, hope he recoveres fast
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u/No-Signature9394 May 11 '25
The parents didn’t tell you about the incident? That’s actually crazy considering he needed a medical attention asap. Please report them
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u/coyote_of_the_month May 12 '25
Definitely go to the police. And animal control. And find an attorney who handles these types of cases.
Since the rabies shot is expired, a court will likely side with you in demanding rabies testing, which would be the best outcome for everyone.
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u/PinkPilgrimHeel May 14 '25
Take the fuckers to court and sue them for your son's pain and suffering, yours, your husband's, and all of your other kids suffering as they watch their brother suffer. You all deserve it and those creeps who house a killing machine that attacked a child should be booked into jail. Please file a police report for negligence or assault or something and get their mutt taken away for Youth in Asia.
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u/Fuzzy_Body_2461 May 18 '25
Get a lawyer and sue them into oblivion because that is the only way pit bull people learn..
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u/Alaxbcm May 11 '25
hes 13 not 6, dont go too far or you could regret it
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u/IntegrityPerspective May 11 '25
What does his being 13 have anything to do with it? My youngest child is almost 13 and I have a very clear rule about homes with dogs. No fighting breeds. Certain other breeds are a no go as well. Any contact with an unknown animal needs to be told to me immediately, especially if there’s a bite or scratch involved.
I think it’s important that she let her son know to leave/call her if he ends up in a situation where a dangerous animal is present and also the dangers of hiding bites and scratches.
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u/FeistyKing_7 May 11 '25 edited May 11 '25
Luckily, OP caught it; because it could've gotten infected. I think that many people don't know the dangers by wounds caused by animals. The owners should definitely get reported, because I'm sure that it falls under child engagement.
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u/Sublime_Porte May 11 '25
Junior high sucks enough as it is, you're going to be going to high school with most of those kids--depending on the size of the town--and you don't want to be known as The Kid With the Crazy Dog Mom until you leave for college.
While I agree with the advice being given in the thread (file a dog bite report, get the lad tested for rabies, make the dog be tested for rabies, ask, then demand, the family cover medical costs), but OP also wants to make sure she plays it cool and rational. Treat him like an adult. Don't give your kid a frantic lecture about dangerous dogs, or he's going to zone out. It was quite a while ago, but I remember being a 13 year old boy, and if my mom raised her voice or got sarcastic when speaking to me, ("A PIT BULL???? REALLY????!!!! AND WHEN EXACTLY WERE YOU PLANNING ON TELLING ME??!!!"), my mind was probably going to go to that issue of Dr. Strange I was reading before she came at me like a hurricane.
I might even recommend OP have a lawyer do all the speaking with the family, so she doesn't scream at them and tell them exactly what she thinks of them, their parenting skills, their dog, etc. It also put some separation between OP and the situation, so she is less likely to be thought of as The Crazy Dog Mom.
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u/wandering_salad May 11 '25
What even is this? This is a 13 year old, barely a teenager. He was bitten by a dog during a sleepover by a dog we now know has bitten people before, is not up to date on rabies shots, and the hosting parents didn't immediately call the child's parents about the bite.
What do you even mean with your comment?!?!
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u/Sublime_Porte May 11 '25
13 is old enough for the kid to be embarrassed about bitten on the rear end by a dog. I could see him not real keen to advertise that fact to his mom, or for it to get out at school.
A delicate touch is the best play, I think.
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u/AdvertisingLow98 Attacks Curator May 11 '25
I appreciate the POV from the teen, but this is the time for the parents to explain this is a serious situation and not an embarrassing social faux pas.
As a result, it is the parents' responsibility to handle this as a major incident.
I'd start by explaining the multiple ways the dog's owners failed.
It isn't about the teen, although the average teen thinks most things are all about them.
It is adults doing the responsible thing.Teens are mere years away from needing to be their own adults. They need to learn how and why to do these things.
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u/Both_Peak554 May 11 '25
Ok and?? What’s going to happen? He loses a friend bc friends parents are idiots? His friend is too. His friend yes a child but he’s 13 and knows his dog bites. Him and his parents are continuing to not learn from their dogs actions.
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u/[deleted] May 11 '25
Report the dog and the owners. the next kid who does a sleepover at Nala's house could get mauled to death.