The unhoused person’s dog was a pitbull. Image by Urs Tudor-Alexandru from Pixabay

SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - Cynthia Gonzales lives in a Midtown apartment with her 16-month-old baby, Elias.

On July 13, they took a walk with Gonzales’ small dog, Jackie, finding themselves in front of Orbit Wash, a self-service car wash, at Ninth and T streets in Sacramento.

Gonzales told Messenger Publishing Group, “From what I remember, I was walking across the street. When I got to the other side, a homeless person’s dog (a pitbull) poked its head up from a pile of stuff. I thought the dog was restrained. I didn’t pay any mind to him.”

As Gonzales tried to move faster her dog and the pitbull saw each other.

“It was a very big dog going for my dog,” Gonzales said.

The larger dog lunged, trying to grab Jackie by the neck. Gonzales said she picked Jackie up and did her best to protect her dog and baby from the pitbull, which was on a leash but not being restrained adequately.

The pitbull bit Gonzales’ elbow, according to Gonzales.

The World Health Organization’s website indicates that approximately 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs every year in the U.S.

Ryan Hinderman, communications and customer service manager with Sacramento’s Front Street Animal Shelter, said that the city’s animal control team received 808 reports of dog bites in 2023.

At Sacramento County’s website, animalcare.saccounty.gov, it recommends, “If you sense a dog attack is imminent, NEVER pick up your dog as a means to protect it. An aggressive dog will not be able to differentiate your body from that of the dog.”

Gonzales said that the pitbull was trying to kill her chihuahua-terrier mix.

“I was just in shock; I noticed there was blood on my baby,” she said.

The homeless man’s large dog had jumped up on Elias’ stroller, clawing him in the head and producing a small wound that broke the skin.

Gonzales called 911, and dispatch asked if there was an emergency. Gonzales said yes, but after more discussion, was referred to animal control.

She dropped the call but soon decided to call 911 again and ask for an ambulance.

Three firefighters arrived a few minutes later, and one of them attended to Elias’ wound.

Mother, first responders and small dog were at ease as Elias calmed down, ceasing to cry. Gonzales gave her residence’s key to a firefighter so that he could deposit Jackie at her apartment while she accompanied Elias to the Sutter Medical Center Emergency Department.

In a moment of comic relief, as Gonzales handed her dog’s pink leash and Jackie to the firefighter, he asked, “Do you have another leash?”

Elias ended up being fine, having only a wound that was largely invisible two weeks later.

How has the incident changed Gonzales?

“I’m actually scared right now of dogs, and I’ve been rescuing dogs and cats for years,” she said. “This incident changed things.”

Gonzales has rescued dogs since 2013.

Her takeaways from the experience with the pitbull are to be hyper-vigilant when outside in the city. She recommended investing in pepper spray.

“There’s a Taser stick for dogs if they are attacking you,” she said.

This reporter, who saw the pitbull shortly after the dog had drawn blood from the baby, spoke to the homeless man that day as he walked away from Gonzales, her baby and her dog; he was unresponsive to calls for acknowledgment in regards to what his animal had done.

Hinderman from the Front Street Animal Shelter had some advice for staying safe around loose dogs in the community.

“People should stay vigilant when walking in neighborhoods, especially when walking dogs of their own,” Hinderman said. “Many dog bites we hear about occur when an unfamiliar dog attacks or fights with a dog someone is walking and get bitten in the process of trying to break up the fight. Similarly, not everyone walks their dog on a leash. If you see an unleashed dog being walked, the owner may be confident that the dog isn’t reactive to other people or pets. However, it is still safest for you to create distance, especially if you’re walking your own dog who may not react well to an unfamiliar dog approaching.”

Hinderman added that extra care should be taken when walking near encampments, especially if walking your own dog.