![\"Durkio\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/19508219_71426-wpvi-durkio-dog-img.png\"\/)
<\/p>\nWEST CHESTER, Pa. (WPVI) — A West Chester family says its dog died after protecting a 12-year-old girl from an aggressive dog, and the family plans to seek charges against the other dog’s owner.<\/p>\n
Surveillance video shows a loose dog repeatedly jumping on a girl who was holding her own dog. The girl attempts to shield her dog and move away, but the larger dog continues approaching.<\/p>\n
The larger dog then grabs the smaller dog and attacks. The family says it ultimately led to the pet’s death.<\/p>\n
The dog that died was Durkio, a 5-year-old emotional support animal for a 12-year-old girl.<\/p>\n
“My dog was trying to protect my child from getting attacked by this pit bull,” said Tiarra Collins of West Chester.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The incident happened shortly after 7 p.m. Monday on the 200 block of South Matlack Street.<\/p>\n
Collins said her daughter, Lyric, had been outside their apartment talking with friends after walking Durkio.<\/p>\n
“This is where my daughter is saying everything started,” Collins said.<\/p>\n
Collins and her wife, Alyssa, were inside at the time and said they heard screams. They said they were eventually able to get the larger dog to release Durkio and then rushed him to a veterinarian.<\/p>\n
“Severe spinal damage, spinal fractures, they said the gashes around his neck were pretty severe,” Collins said.<\/p>\n
The family said Durkio was euthanized because of his injuries.<\/p>\n
Police responded to the scene, and the investigation is now being handled by the Brandywine Valley SPCA.<\/p>\n
As they mourn the loss of Durkio, Collins and her family say they want the other dog’s owner to be held accountable.<\/p>\n
“At the end of the day, it’s the owner’s responsibility, no matter what the breed is, no matter how they’re trained, that owner is responsible for that dog. That dog shouldn’t have been out the house without a leash without her knowledge,” Collins said.<\/p>\n
The case is under investigation.<\/p>\n
The Brandywine Valley SPCA said the attacking dog is not in its custody at this time. The case remains under investigation, and no charges or citations have been filed.<\/p>\n
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