Germantown Resident Warns Neighbors of Dog Attack; Fears for Future Safety

Jane Smith believes she may only be alive thanks to her 18-month-old, 20-lb lhasa apso-poodle mix Penelope, or Penny as she has come to be known.

What started out as a nice quiet afternoon stroll around the neighborhood, near Waters Landing Elementary School, turned into a "nightmare" when Smith looked up and saw a "fast-moving, large grey and white Pit Bull bolting across the street headed right toward Penny."

"I had nothing with me to fight off the dog and there was no quick exit for us.  Penny didn’t even see it coming," Smith recalled a couple of days later.  "She had no time to bark or to run.  The dog tore into her with a vengeance.  No one came looking for the dog or called its name."

Smith said the dog went right for Penny and "picked her up around the neck and threw her to the ground, tossing her around and around."

Smith continued: "I screamed and fell while hanging on to Penny’s leash.  I was afraid to hit the dog for fear that it would turn on me.  The dog had a very strong hold on Penny, around her neck and shoulder.  I hung on for fear that the dog would drag her off, perhaps into the street."

Smith said the attack went on for what felt like several minutes while Smith could only watch as her dog lay helpless. Finally, Smith said, a man who she described wearing painter's clothes, emerged from the house where Smith believes the dog lives. Witnesses say that the man was a contractor at the home and the dog escaped when he unintentionally left the gate open. 

The man helped the dog off Penny and Smith quickly rushed her to Banfield Animal Hospital. Before she did, Smith called the police and waited for an Officer to arrive to take some information. Then, she said she had an exchange with a woman who identified herself only as the homeowner of the house where the dog lives. Smith believes this was the dog's owner.

But she didn't have much time to stay and argue. 

"My dog required many stitches and surgery," Smith said. "I beleive that she saved my life."

Hundreds of dollars later and with perhaps weeks and months of lingering problems ahead, Penny is now home and Smith wants answers. And justice.

Smith said she was fortunate enough that several witnesses came up to her and said they saw the whole thing unfold and that helped her when she filed the police report after the incident. She eventually plans to press charges though Smith has yet to talk to the dog's owner since their initial exchange on the street right after the incident took place. 

For now, Smith's primary concern is for the future well-being and safety of the area, which she says is always filled with children playing.

"For a long time, we will be walking in fear of another surprise and something that has been a daily regimen that keeps us happy and healthy, will be put on hold," Smith said. "And maybe, if there is a next attack, that person, persons, dog or dogs, may not be as lucky as Penny and me.  I want my safe community back – for all of our sakes."