Husband's tip stops 'attack'

Dear Editor,

Saturday June 8th, I was in Waitsburg for a memorial service at the Catholic Church. I parked behind the church in front of the Richardson’s home. After the service, I was walking to my car and noticed 3 dogs, a Labrador, a German Shepherd, & a Pit Bull, in the fenced yard across the street at 270 W 6th Street.

They started barking and running along the fence. I was ignoring them but wanted to be aware of them as well. The pit bull was at the side of the house and started running toward the fence, but instead of stopping, the dog jumped the fence and ran full speed at me. I was about 7-10 feet from my car. In a split second, I remembered a similar incident my husband had several years ago when a Pit Bull jumped the fence and charged at him.

I knew I probably couldn’t make it to my car so I stood my ground, and in the loudest scream I could make, I put my hands in the air and lunged toward the dog. It worked. The Pit Bull turned and ran away from me. My adrenaline was flowing and I started toward my car but turned to make sure the dog wasn’t running back toward me. When I turned to my car, my sandal got stuck on the asphalt and I fell and scraped my knee. Helen Richardson and Trinka Gerke came to help. They shared that there have been issues with these dogs and the Pit Bull has jumped the fence before. Here’s the bottom line; if my awesome husband, Randy, had not told me about a similar incident with him screaming at a Pit Bull, I probably would have been seriously hurt. I thank God for Randy and for God’s protection that day.

I would like you to print this story so that others will know that screaming as loud as you can at a charging dog might redirect the dog’s “attack” mindset away from you. In my case, this worked. I think I scared the “you-know-what” out of that dog. I want folks in Waitsburg to be aware of these dogs on 6th St. I wasn’t protected by the 3-foot fence that surrounded the yard. 

I want to thank Helen and Trinka for their help and caring. And, of course, I’m forever grateful to God and my husband. 

Peggy Baker Mudd, Pasco