The pit bull’s owner, Susan Peterson, said that she was looking for toys and a harness when the owner of the Great Dane, Mitchell Philpott, approached her. After giving a verbal warning that she wasn’t sure how her dog would respond, she asked Philpott to stay away, according to several eyewitnesses.
Um, why would you take your dog to PetSmart in the first place if it has aggression issues?!
Philpot continued forward, saying that it was OK because their tails were wagging, but once the dogs were close enough, they started to snap at each other, according to a Newnan Police Department report. Peterson said that her dog was leashed at the time, but Philpott said it broke loose.
PetSmart manager Al Williams told police he did not see the incident, but used a citrus spray to break up the fight before calling 911. Another witness said he overheard Peterson warning Philpot to stay back before the incident.
During the attack, both Philpott and his dog, Harley, sustained mild injuries from the attack. No injuries were reported in the police report regarding the pit bull.
After the fight was broken up, Mitchell told Peterson to "get your dog. I’m going to shoot it.”
Peterson also told police that Philpott did not seem to be in control of the Great Dane.
The attack marks the second one in less than a year at the Newnan PetSmart. Last September, a pit bull attacked a Yorkshire Terrier during an adoption event and was stabbed by the terrier’s owner.
Philpot said representatives from PetSmart have contacted him and offered to pay the medical bills. As of Tuesday, he has declined the offer – deciding to seek legal counsel first.
"You would think they would do something to protect their customers,” he said. “I certainly don’t want her (Peterson’s) dog dead. I just don’t want it to harm someone else."
Peterson could not be reached for comment.
“Why would someone bring a potentially dangerous dog in public?” Philpot asked. “Are we supposed to not go down an aisle because a dog might attack?"
In a statement released on Wednesday, PetSmart Corporate Communications Manager Erin Gray stated that the company has policies in place to create an environment where customers, associates and pets are safe.
“Unfortunately, a dog fight occurred in our Newnan location on Saturday,” Gray said. “It’s our understanding that neither of the pets were seriously injured, and that a pet parent sustained minor injuries.”
“We welcome leashed and vaccinated pets in our stores and rely on our pet parents to make sure their pets are well-behaved and under control at all times,” Gray said. “If an associate observes a pet acting aggressively toward others, the associate will ask the pet parent to remove their pet from the store environment to ensure the safety of all pet parents, associates and pets.”
Gray said the company is working with the Philpot to ensure he and his pet both make a speedy recovery.
Last month, a Texas Judge finalized a $495,000 settlement for a family whose 4-year-old daughter was attacked by a Rottweiler inside a Wichita Falls PetSmart. Lawyers representing the family stated that the attack "was a preventable injury."
"Had Petsmart had in place a requirement that potentially dangerous breeds of dogs, such as Rottweilers and pit bulls be muzzled before being brought into the store, this would not have happened,” said attorney Brad Altman in a statement. “We hope that PetSmart will make a policy change to require muzzles on potentially dangerous breeds inside their stores."
Since Saturday's attack, Philpot said he’s been subject to harassment by pit bull owners and advocates.
“These owners – they circle the wagons when something like this happens,” he said. “They want you to have an open mind about their breed but it’s a one-way street. My dog never bit anyone and this wasn’t a dog fight.
“Only me and my dog were bit,” Philpot continued. “But if you call it a pit bull attack, it’s a crime. It’s infuriating.”
(Newnan Times-Herald - Aug 19, 2015)
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