Last week as my daughter and I walked our 11-month old puppy along the Lake Wilderness trail, she was viciously attacked by an aggressive dog whose young owner was incapable of controlling it. The nightmare-ish attack continued up onto Witte Road where good Samaritans intervened. It was an extremely powerful dog and without the help of these kind and courageous bystanders, our dog would surely have been killed.

At the time, I was so traumatized by what had transpired that my only thought was to get my dog and my child to safety. In my haste, I did not adequately thank the amazing couple who came to our aid, voluntarily putting themselves in danger, and suffering injury, to help free our dog. I am so deeply grateful for their assistance. I also want to thank the competent and caring staff at Wilderness Animal Hospital who were willing to accept our puppy without an appointment at the very end of the day to begin treating her wounds.

While my primary intent in writing this letter is to THANK the people who so selflessly helped us, I hope that our experience will also compel this dog’s owner, as well as the owners of other aggressive dogs, to keep their animals secured on their own property. It is inexcusable to expose the public to the danger these animals present and my family is now paying the physical, emotional and financial cost of their negligence.

Melissa Whitt

Maple Valley