Some Plano neighbors are on edge over what they say is a dangerous dog in their neighborhood.
The animal recently attacked another dog, then bit its owner as she tried to protect her pet.
Gail Cotton Michaud says she now carries mace and a stun gun when she walks her mini schnauzer, Lacey.
Last Tuesday, she says a leashed pit bull mix broke free from its owner and attacked Lacey near the Hills at Prestonwood home.
“He had her in his mouth and dragged both of us into the street,” said Michaud. “I was on my back and at that point, I was beating him on his head while he had her in his mouth, and I put my legs around his neck trying to choke him, and all of a sudden he let go of her and bit my hand.”
Michaud says she went to an emergency room for the puncture wound in her hand.
Lacey, she says, somehow escaped unscathed.
“That is an absolute miracle, the way I saw that dog clamp onto her and swing her in the air,” said Michaud.
Plano Animal Services says there is an active investigation and that the dog in question is now in quarantine at the animal shelter.
The dog’s owner told NBC 5 she apologized for what happened and said she has tried to take financial responsibility.
She says she wants the dog back.
But that won’t happen without a fight from some neighbors who say they have filed dangerous animal complaints with the city.
“I will do everything in my power to make sure that this dog is not back in this neighborhood,” said neighbor Doug Bax. “For me, it comes down to liability. Who wants the liability to let this dog back in the neighborhood where it’s shown that it’s not safe?”
“I think that what happened is going to happen again,” said neighbor Jet Parker.
Michaud says she credits her strength for being able to fend off the 50-pound dog and believes having it back in the neighborhood is an accident waiting to happen.
“We’re all scared,” she said.