NEW MEXICO -- A woman who nearly died after being attacked by a dog is sharing her story in hopes of helping others.
Marissa Hallett was mauled by a pit bull eight years ago, but said people should not be so quick to blame the breed.
Marissa Hallett was mauled by a pit bull eight years ago, but said people should not be so quick to blame the breed.
She is just one of several viewers to speak out and contact KOB Eyewitness News 4, upset about the negative attention pit bulls have been getting in recent weeks.
Hallett was attacked by a pit bull in 2004 while working in an animal shelter. She said the dog was known for being friendly, but one day, just snapped.
Hallett was attacked by a pit bull in 2004 while working in an animal shelter. She said the dog was known for being friendly, but one day, just snapped.
The dog grabbed her leg and did not let go for about five minutes. In the end, it took six people to pull the dog off of her. Hallett survived, but not without major damage to her leg.
The scars from the puncture wounds are still visible and Hallett said the emotional trauma was overwhelming.
But even after all of that, Hallett said she is not willing to write off the entire breed. Some KOB viewers have said the same.
In the past month KOB has reported on four dog attacks. Since then, we have been flooded with comments. One person wrote on our webpage, "The fact of the matter is, stupid abusive people kill more children everyday than pit bulls do in a year. Let's euthanize the abusive people instead."
In the past month KOB has reported on four dog attacks. Since then, we have been flooded with comments. One person wrote on our webpage, "The fact of the matter is, stupid abusive people kill more children everyday than pit bulls do in a year. Let's euthanize the abusive people instead."
The question at hand, who to blame?
Hallett said it is up to owners to be responsible and understand the needs of the breed. She also said people also need to understand, some dogs are aggressive and a threat to society, no matter what people do.
Hallett has been involved with some dog legislation, and said it will take government oversight to protect people and dogs.
[This article is very confusing. First it makes her sound as if she is in defense of all pit bulls, but at the end of the article, she sounds as if she is trying to get pit bull owners to be more responsible -- and accepting of the fact that 'some dogs are aggressive and a threat to society, no matter what people do'.]
(KOB - May 16, 2012)
