STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. – A pit bull was removed from a Sterling Heights home Tuesday afternoon after the dog bit one of the neighbors and her Shih Tzu on Monday.
Phil Russo, the husband of the victim and their dog, Cici, said the incident happened while his wife and dog were out on a walk.
"It's the scariest thing I've ever walked outside to. I ran outside and right at the base of my driveway, my wife and dog laying just covered in blood, screaming and waling, and it was just the most God-awful scene I've ever seen," said Russo.
His across-the-street neighbor, Jason Defillippo, said he believes his foster dog, Blue, was just trying to play.
"She's a good girl. She's only 10 months old. She's a puppy. She likes to play. When she busted out the front door, she was maybe going out there to be curious, to play maybe, I would say yes, as far as attacking, no. She wouldn't hurt anybody," Defillippo said.
Russo doesn't see it that way. His wife and dog, Cici, were bitten above their eyes.
"The dog had the taste of blood in its mouth," Russo said.
Animal Control officers picked up Blue from Defillippo's home today.
"She's not a bad dog is all I can say, she's not a bad dog," Defillippo said.
Defillippo does not want pit bulls to get a bad name and wants to try to resolve the issue.
"These are one of the most loyal dogs to humans you could possibly get. I do feel bad 100 percent that somebody got hurt in this situation," Defillippo said.
Russo said they plan to move out of the neighborhood now.
"I'm not comfortable. My wife doesn't want to go outside. My family was attacked and now has mental issues, not feeling safe to walk outside in their own home. You're supposed to feel safe at your home. I'm gonna have to put my home up for sale and find a new place to live," Russo said.
Blue will be taken to a rescue where she will be quarantined and evaluated to make sure she can return to society.