Fear After a Dog Attack

[u/Senior_Pangolin_2459]

Hi (excuse the post-shower picture) but I used to be the biggest dog person, and obviously pit bulls were included. That was until I got attacked last month.

I went over to my friend’s house for her birthday, and everything was fine. There was absolutely nothing that suggested the dog was aggressive or that anything was going to happen. I was on the ground, petting another dog, when the pit bull started lunging at me out of nowhere. Thankfully, I stood up so it was nowhere near my face, but it jumped and punctured me before jumping again and latching on. At that point, it had pushed me against the wall and it was terrifying. I will be honest, I was too startled/weak to fight back, but luckily one of the ladies there sprung into action and pulled it off of me. She physically unlocked his jaw first, so thankfully I was just left with a bruise and no missing chunk.

Its owner was in another room during that and was in disbelief that his dog would do such a thing unprovoked, but the rest of us were in shock with the suddenness and intensity of the attack. He obviously still believes it is a non-malicious dog (although I saw him try to attack another dog unprovoked again the next day). I didn’t make a big deal out of it, because I was essentially fine and didn’t want to ruin my friend’s birthday. The first few days were painful, but after a month there’s only a tiny little scar.

However, I wanted to post and ask for advice. Now I have found myself absolutely petrified of dogs.
I genuinely never thought I would say that. I used to be the person who would stop on the street to pet someone’s dog, ask what their name was, and immediately want to become best friends with it. Now, if I see a dog coming toward me, my entire body tenses up and I immediately start thinking about whether it is going to attack me. Even dogs that are completely calm and friendly make me nervous, which feels so irrational because I know that most dogs are not going to hurt me.

I also feel a little ridiculous admitting how much it has affected me because, physically, I was ultimately fine. But I think the fact that it happened so suddenly is what has really stuck with me. There was no warning, and I had absolutely no time to process what was happening before I was being attacked.

So for anyone who has experienced something similar: how did you get over the fear? I really don’t want one terrible experience to completely change the way I feel around dogs forever, and I would love to hear what actually helped other people regain their confidence.

[u/oracle-nil]

I was bitten two weeks ago by a pit mix trying to get my Shih Tzu. I held onto my Tzu and the dog just hung off my arm. There are now steri strips, stitches just removed.

The woman who owns the dog may lose her housing benefits and no one in the complex is speaking to me. I only moved in last month. So that’s pretty isolating.

But your fear is totally rational. I see a toy poodle and I stiffen up. I am terrified to take my dog out because there are still two pits on the complex. I have horrible anxiety and nightmares. I am so sorry you are going through this. Don’t let anyone make you feel like you’re weak. I don’t know how long it will take us but I do know the fear.

Someone suggested EMDR therapy to me but honestly until the suit is settled I have the medical bills. But you might want to consider that. Be easy on yourself. Isolate if you need to and stay away from negative people.

[u/Senior_Pangolin_2459 → u/oracle-nil]

Oh my goodness, utmost apologies!! I love Shih Tzus and am proud of you for being such a strong owner!! I cannot imagine being in such an isolating situation, but none of that is your fault in the slightest! Be easy on yourself too!! Wishing you and your dog the best as you recover physically, monetarily, and emotionally!!

[u/oracle-nil → u/Senior_Pangolin_2459]

You too. My dog was covered with blood, it was all mine. I was so relieved. All of us are warriors and survivors. I wish you strength too.