PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Several complaints have been made over the last couple of months about an aggressive pit bull on the loose in Center City, attacking other dogs. The most recent report was on Tuesday night.
Brian Lovenduski, of Washington Square West, was walking his 12-year-old miniature pinscher named Ziggy near 12th and Chestnut streets when a leashed pit bull with no owner latched onto one of Ziggy's hind legs.
The attack lasted for about 4 or 5 minutes.
"I fell to my knees and started screaming help,” Lovenduski said.
Two good Samaritans stepped in and tried to get the dog to release its grip.
Ziggy’s toes and metatarsal bones below the ankle were completely crushed, and his knee, fractured.
"There was no alternative but amputation because the blood flow had been totally cut off from his foot,” said Lovenduski, who was either scratched or bitten in the attack. He sought medical treatment for rabies as a precaution.
A police report was filed. Officials are looking into the possibility that the dog belongs to a homeless woman who frequents the downtown area.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to cover the thousands of dollars in medical bills. So far, more than $7,500 has been raised.
Lovenduski said Ziggy is doing well in the recovery process.
"He's a trooper, he is teaching me resilience, he is eating, and starting to figure out where to put his one back leg in order to form a tri-pod to be able to stand up. It's really amazing."