Pit bull attacks golden retriever on beach; family hurt in rescue

On Sunday, near 14th Street, an unknown pit bull attacked an island golden retriever. The dog was rebuffed by an 18-year-old girl and her father, according to a Lee County Sheriff’s Department Report. The retriever survived, and the daughter and father were injured and bloodied, but did not require medical transport. 

 Deputy Angelo Lanni filed a report after the attack, which was called in at 1:43 p.m. when the family of four was at the beach. The report stated that when the daughter and the retriever were walking toward the water, an unaccompanied pit bull came racing down the beach. The daughter “tried to keep them separated but the black pit-bull came racing down the beach.”

The report, incident 25-033876, stated that the owners of the pit bull, which had gotten away from them, came to try to stop the attack.

“Apparently the pit bull had a shock collar on and the owners attempted to use it, but the dog was unaffected by it. It is unclear whether or not the collar was inoperative or the dog simply ignored the shock. All parties involved struggled to separate the two dogs and after about two minutes they were able to gain control.”

According to the report, the owners of the pit bull left the scene without giving any information to law enforcement. Members of the attacked dog’s family sustained minor injuries, including cuts and swelling, while their dog was reportedly injured near the neck. 

A witness provided information about the incident, but could not provide any information about the owners, or the owners’ car. The report said that Sixth Precinct Sgt. Zeltman and ACU Sgt. Van Pelt were notified about the attack, as well as Lee County Animal Services. The owner on Thursday said he had reached out to Animal Services to ensure that they had been made aware of the attack.

At press-time, the owner(s) of the pit bull had not been identified, and it is not clear if they are local to the island. Reached Wednesday, the father said the whole event was a blur. The daughter, he said, was traumatized. “Our dog was taken to Port Charlotte Emergency Animal hospital in Port Charlotte for medical treatment to include the suturing of lacerations to the face,” said the resident. “My wife and daughter suffered bruises and scratches. I had to receive treatment at Port Charlotte Urgent Care for bloodied hands.”

The father hopes the other dog can be located.

“It is one powerful animal,” said the father. He said that during the ordeal, he had to not only be careful he was not hurting his dog, but he had to protect his daughter, in the water, with both dogs.

“It let go,” said the father. “I said, ‘Oh my God.”