Footage shows a pit bull savagely locking onto a puppy in a restaurant as shocked diners try to free it and a vet has told how a "collar" trick is a good way to restrain a dangerous dog.
Screams can be heard as people jump from their tables in alarm and the pup cries as it is held in the jaws of the pit bull around the neck.
A man is seen holding up the aggressive dog by its hind legs and trying to shake it before kicking it in his desperation to free the puppy. Another man then comes over and tries to force open the jaws of the dog while people from other tables look on in disbelief at what is happening.
A person can be heard saying: “Oh my God?” while a woman says: “Why is it not letting go?” But finally the man who had his hands around the dog’s jaw manages to release the puppy and he holds onto it.
While it is not clear where the footage was from, it has been viewed millions of times and there have been many people commenting that pit bulls should not be kept as pets. One person said: “Pit bulls should be illegal” and other pointed out: “Don’t get breeds that you can’t control.”
Others also joined in the debate with one comment: “This sucks to see. I assume the pit bull owner was trying to socialize their dog but completely failed to consider the ‘what if’. As a pit bull owner, they should never be out in public while the handlers focus is divided. I couldn’t imagine managing a reactive dog, while eating.”
A further said: “Obviously it’s not all pit bulls but when it comes to dogs being aggressive it is almost always a pit bull. Pit bulls should only be owned by people who can actually handle them.”
And another person said: “That kind of breed always should have dog training when they young. Anyway , as a Pit bull owner my self and other dogs i can clearly see here the Pitbull got the little dog is only biting the most superficial area of the skin, which is a common characteristic of these canine breeds and their territoriality.”
In the UK , the pit bull terrier is one of five dogs that are banned with the XL Bully the latest in the list that also includes the Japanese tosa, the dogo Argentino and the fila Braziliero.
How to restrain a dangerous dog
People facing a ferocious dog could use a “collar” trick as one way to restrain them, said a vet, who also told how to make it release its grip. Dr Joanna Woodnutt has given several ways that could be used against an aggressive dog but warned that people need to consider their own safety first before getting involved.
Clearly throwing objects or hitting a dog could well have the opposite effect to what is wanted. But there are some clever tactics that can be used to distract and restrain them. Joanna told The Mirror that twisting a dog's collar could work to stop it, as could throwing water or pushing a stick in the dog’s mouth also help to make it release its grip.
"For some dogs, a loud noise or emptying a bucket of water over them will be enough to shock them into letting go for long enough that you can get them under control," said Joanna of Perfect Pet Insurance. "However, bull breeds were originally bred for their persistence in a fight, and many of them will have retained this ability to ignore all else.
"In this case, there are ways to stop dogs holding on. These can be dangerous and you should consider the risk to your own life before you intervene. One option is to grab the dog's collar and twist it. If possible, a pole should be used to do this as it allows you to apply more force - put it under the collar then start to twist.
"The idea is that the attacking dog is rendered unconscious - this should happen pretty quickly. Be aware that once you stop applying the force, the dog may regain consciousness quite quickly, so be prepared to repeat the action or get to a place of safety.
"A short solid stick (like a wooden spoon or a broom handle) can be inserted into the dog's mouth just behind their victim. The end of the stick should be pushed up so it contacts the roof of the mouth. This does not need force - the dog will usually let go when it feels the stick contact the palate, you don't need to ram it in and cause damage.
"If the attacking dog is shaking the victim from side to side, attempts should be made to immobilise them to reduce this - pushing them up against a wall or grabbing their scruff may work."
Joanna said that screaming or hitting a dog is not a good idea. "If you see a dog attacking someone or something, the first step is to call for help. Whether that's on your mobile or just shouting loudly, ideally you need help coming before you step in. Try not to scream or hit the dog - this can increase arousal and make the problem worse," she continued.
"While it's not something we like to think about, it's essential that you consider your own safety before stepping in, too. Many pet owners get injured trying to protect their dogs in a fight - while I completely understand the instinct to protect your furry family member, one injury is better than two. The size of the attacking dog will play a part in how sensible it is to get involved, as will other people present and whether there's anything nearby you can use to protect yourself."