Attacked by a pitbull today

Yesterday, I took my dog to the park and was on the phone with my girlfriend when I saw a pit bull playing with another dog. I was initially wary but thought it looked friendly enough. As we entered the park, the pit bull immediately pinned my dog against the fence with its front legs, and my dog was clearly terrified. The owner was about 20 feet away and didn’t intervene right away. After about 10-15 seconds, my dog flinched, trying to get away, and the pit bull got more aggressive, lunging at him.

I stepped in to break it up, but the pit bull had already latched onto my dog. For 30-45 seconds, I had my hands between them, trying to minimize the damage. I was throwing elbows, gouging its eyes, and punching it to get it off. Eventually, I stood up and kicked it, and somehow my dog escaped. The park gate had been opened in the chaos, and my dog ran into the street. It took several witnesses to help corral him into my car.

I had to go to the ER because my hands were so messed up, and my dog spent the night in the pet hospital. Witnesses got photos of the pit bull owner’s ID, license plate, and information after he initially tried to leave. He later provided proof of the dog’s rabies shot. The pit bull was a 10-year-old, medium-sized dog. My dog thankfully only has a gash near his eye, but it was a terrifying experience. Also my hands are completely fucked and I’m in horrible pain. I’m an attorney and type for a living 😔 (not a PI attorney unfortunately).