Pit bull attacks woman, Shih Tzu during morning walk

PENNSYLVANIA -- A woman suffered a serious hand injury Thursday morning when she was attacked by a pit bull while walking her dog in McKeesport.

Neighbors told Channel 4 Action News’ Amber Nicotra the woman was walking her Shih Tzu about 7:30 a.m. when a pit bull being walked by a young boy attacked her and her dog.

“The poor kid had no control of that dog -- that's why that pit bull ended up attacking that small dog,” said witness Deborah Molinari.

Neighbors said the pit bull was dragging the Shih Tzu by the collar, and the woman’s finger got stuck in the leash as she tried to get her dog to safety.

Molinari said she was asleep when she heard the woman scream.

“It was really scary to hear that woman scream to the top of her lungs, crying out for help,” she said

Patsy Bradley was supposed to meet the woman for their usual morning walk along Jefferson Street but was running a few minutes late.

She found her friend bleeding and crying.

“She was hysterical. She was very shook up. This was her baby, and anyone who has an animal knows, so she was really shook up,” said Bradley.

Marlene Rusinko told Nicotra that doctors we're able to save her sister’s finger, but that she'll need to see a hand surgeon at a later date.

(WTAE - June 21, 2012)