Dog Attack Victims Describe their Terrifying Ordeal
A trip to the post office ended with two men in the hospital after what one of the victims described as a “terrifying” attack by two dogs.
Around 10:30 a.m. on June 7, Neil Mikulenka walked to the Blue Lake post office to pick up his mail. On his way back, his two pieces of mail in his hand, he passed by a residence that had two dogs in the front yard who he said were aggressively barking at him as he walked by.
Neil continued to walk by when one of the dogs was able to push open the gate allowing both dogs free of the yard and able to approach the five-foot-eleven man as he passed by.
In an interview with Redheaded Blackbelt, Neil said that he attempted to walk away, hoping the dogs would not pursue him though they continued their aggressive behavior towards him. In an attempt to scare the dogs away after they continued to pursue the Blue Lake resident, Neil yelled for help and kicked at the two short, muscular dogs. The attempted scare tactic did not work nor did anyone from the residence come to his aid before the dogs were able to knock Neil’s 175-pound frame to the ground.
Construction worker Steve Morais was driving a dump truck for a nearby paving project and saw Neil attempting to get away from the dogs before they took him down. Steve said he did not think, but just reacted, jumping out of the dump truck and rushing to Neil’s aid where the two dogs were biting the 47-year-old while he tried to defend his vital organs, his body suffering assault as the dogs bit at his neck, arms, legs, and groin.
Neil said that Steve, a stranger to him at that point, was able to divert the dogs’ attention to himself long enough for Neil to get up and run twenty yards away before collapsing on the ground. During the terrifying ordeal, Neil stated he thought he was going to die as his neck was between the dog’s powerful jaws.
Additional construction workers saw the melee and rushed to help. During the struggle, Steve was also knocked to the ground. At some point, two people, the owner and her mother came out of the residence but were unsuccessful in recalling the dogs until after the construction workers were able to pull the dogs off of Steve who was defending himself from the ground.
Even after the owner had one of the dogs under her control, the animal was able to break free and attacked Steve again resulting in his thumb suffering a severe laceration that, he said, almost took the tip of it off.
Someone managed to call 9-1-1 to report the incident. Emergency medical personnel were dispatched to the scene code 3, with lights and siren, and Humboldt County Animal Control was requested.
Steve and Neil were transported to a local hospital for treatment while the dogs were taken into custody. Steve said he ended up with two stitches for his thumb, stating that medical personnel did not completely close the wound due to the risk of infection.
Neil, much worse for wear, stated he suffered at least 14 puncture wounds on his neck, arms, legs, and groin, along with bruising and scrapes for the attack as well as swelling to his neck and extremities from the force of the bites. He is back home and healing, though in pain, unsure if he’ll have any lasting effects from the attack.
Both men are undergoing rabies prevention protocol treatment.
Without Steve’s intervention, Neil believes he’d have suffered a much worse fate, if not death, in the clutches of the two dogs. Both men state that someone less fit than Neil, a child or a senior, would have likely been killed during the attack before help arrived.
For that reason, Steve, a self-proclaimed dog lover, said he’d be attending the hearing regarding the two dogs’ fate after the required quarantine period is over. “[The dogs] have no business being returned”, he stated. The construction worker believes the dogs had the intention to kill Neil and then Steve, as he said, they repeated went for his face and neck.
In the hospital emergency room, Neil got to know the man that came to his aid and the next day visited the construction site to thank Steve and the others who saved him from worse injury and possibly his life.
For his part, Steve says he’s no hero, he just did for Neil what he hopes anyone would do for him in that situation.
Earlier: Dog Attacks Two Individuals in Blue Lake, Medical Responding Code 3
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Way to go Steve! Yes that was a heroic act. I hope you and Neil heal up quick. Kill the dogs and sue the owners
I did notice that there is an ad right above the comments (below the story) for a law firm (a very good one I may add).
I realize that law firm above the story is paying good money for the ad. However, I suggest that if the victims decide to sue, shop around for personal injury attorneys before deciding who to hire. This is based on experience.
Better call Saul
Ambulance chasers
So you are ad number two for these guys? Right, Kym?
Too bad there is not this much passion to execute violent humans.
I’m good with that also
Steve is clearly a hero.
Agreed!
Hope the owners have good insurance and wealth to take, right after the dogs are put down.
Get a lock on that house immediately before they try to transfer title or hide assets. Then take all that you can. I know homeless people who are more responsible…and so if they end up living under a bridge I’ll cry no tears
Thank you for the followup.
“and kicked at the two short, muscular dogs”
I’m going to guess they weren’t Basset Hounds?
I wonder what breed they were? Hmmmm
Mini pinchers?
A post on a community page stated that one was a 7-month-old bully breed, and one was a three-year-old pit breed, though that is unconfirmed. Those that were attacked said they believed them to be pit bulls but no official word has been given. Neil said he doesn’t know dogs well enough to state what breed the dogs were.
That’s a shame. The 7 month old was just following along…could have been a good dog with different owners who gave a crap, instead of being crap. People like this should never have a pit bull or any dog that can do damage like this…
Maybe. Maybe not. Training can not overcome nature. It can just modify it some. Usually not that much. A dog that’s going to go after passersby possibly could be handled with enough training but it would only hold true in the presence of the trainer. People need to chose the temperament they want then train.
Pitt pups are not born to attack anymore than German shepards or any large breed or any breed, the larger breeds can do more damage. “TRAINING” includes the sort of neglect and/or outright abuse and irresponsibility of the owners. The dogs should be put down for sure and the owners not allowed dogs again. MOroever any large breed owner should be required to have their dog pass a test at 1, 3 and 6 years of age proving friendliness with people…guard dogs might have a variation of such a test. My large Dogo Argintino was a stray as a pup for many months and has gotten loose a few times in the 11 years I have had home and never threatened nor injured a human, elderly nor child and would in fact defend a human or another dog even only if certain an attack was occurring…. though probably eat a cat given the chance.
If pits are no more likely to attack than any other large breed, then why do pits (which are around 6% of the dog population) account for 67% of fatal dog maulings?
Pits are not born to attack? Maybe or maybe not, but when they attack it’s in their nature to rip, shred and crush the object of their attack.
Because ignorant people bred them for fighting for the same ignorant reason haters of the breed site: big jaws. It is the owners not the breed. They are thin skinned and like most dogs prefer not to fight if they can avoid it. They, like any large dog though of course can do damage quickly and owners i feel should have to pass a test before owning a dog that is large but that is a can-o-worms not gonna go on about here. I have have a 70lb dog so I’d be required to have mine proven to be friendly with humans.
You seem determined to cling to your fictionalized belief that pits are just like any other big dog. If that were true fatal maulings and vicious attacks would be spread proportionately across all large dog breeds but they’re not. Again, pits account for approximately 67% of all fatal dog maulings – twice as many as all other breeds combined.
The issue with pit bulls is they are no longer pit bulls. Most have been inter bred with mastiff, bulldogs, cane corso and other very aggressive breeds for size alteration. Fir generationd. Most people get them from back yard breeders. Most arent out paying 6000$ for an akc’d pit bull. They are paying 400$ for a mixed breed. Most dont know the mixes or anything about the temperament of the breeds mixed with them.
“Only pit bulls appear to have been banned for violent behavior in more nations than the Dogo Argentino, included in the United Kingdom’s Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, banned in Spain in 1999, in Catalan since 2002, in Denmark in 2010, and in the Turks & Caicos islands since 2014.”
https://www.animals24-7.org/2022/10/10/dogo-argentinos-running-at-large-kill-80-year-old-woman-out-for-a-walk/
You’re point? Many things are banned reactionarily rather than rationally.
Reaction to fatal attacks? Seems plenty reasonable.
I’ll agree with you. The thing about pit bulls that confuses people is that some lines of this dog breed have been bred for aggressiveness and fighting. Other lines have not. Can’t tell from looking at them. But you can tell from observation with other dogs. Many people get these dogs who should not have these dogs. Vanity and ego and desire to project strength are terrible reasons. Not adopting these dogs into your family and leaving them alone to figure life out- not a good move. Not socializing them- very bad move. They can inflict big damage quickly if they attack and if they are from a dog-fighting line of breeding. Dog fighters should be euthanized. But not every pit bull. While 2 pits attacked these guys in Blue Lake a million other pits spent the day not biting anybody. They can be a dangerous breed in the wrong hands. Unfortunately we have all the wrong people flocking to own one. So I think the results are skewed due to other reasons in addition to “the breed”. I can’t buy into “the breed is bad” and it sounds racist to me due to my experiences. I say this because nearly every pit bull I’ve known has been sweet and non-aggressive. The one I knew owned by a drug-dealing dirtbag in Los Angeles was scary as hell…Yes- they need extra care and attention and certainly are not for everybody or every living situation! But they are extremely loyal and will fiercely defend their family- or your garbage from the bear…
Please people…look into this more thoroughly: https://bestfriends.org/sanctuary/about-sanctuary/vicktory-dogs
Again, that is just what was said, not confirmed. And I believe they stated the 7 mo old was the instigator not the 3 yr old, but again, that person did not go on record or clarify where their information was coming from. At this time, the specific breed and ages of the dogs is not confirmed.
I’m glad this didn’t turn out worse. That had to be a scary situation for all involved.
Charge the dogs owners with assault with deadly weapons and put them devil dogs down.
This terrifying story sure gives me a jolt of PTSD from the similar unprovoked dog attack on my dog, wife and me in March. I am so sorry for the victims and wish them speedy and full recovery.
Steve is right to plan on attending the dogs’ hearing, and I recommend that he monitor the dogs’ status during and after the quarantine period.
In our case, the attacking dog was released to the owner without fine or penalty *before* the hearing, which found the dog to be “vicious” — which carrying strict restrictions on securing the dog to avoid future attacks. By then, however, our dog and owner had left town, never to be seen again, threatening another neighborhood.
If you know of dogs like those that attacked Neil, dogs that are obviously aggressive in their yards, report them to local authorities and Animal Control so there is a record in case something terrible happens again in the future.
Happened to me too. The owners gave the dogs to friends because the animal control officer told them what might happen yet refused to impound the dogs. The dogs just vanished although the owners did not. They paid the veterinarian costs but those dogs are still out there.
Oh yeah. Had to get the prophylactic rabies series, all those shots, because the irresponsible, dumbass owner couldn’t be bothered to vaccinate that dog. Rabies is fatal. Facial bites are higher risk and this dog runs around in the hills getting into fights and going after animals that are endemic with rabies. I dread hearing this pit bull has attacked someone else, especially a child. Sure, I am pissed.
I read about the attack on your family and think of the 3 of you when I read of other attacks. I hope all of you healed physically and hope time will help lessen the emotional trauma.
I remember you. Next month after your attack I got attacked by a pit bull, bit in the face. Could have been worse. The owner is a liar about what happened to protect this viscous, precious “puppy” pit bull POS. They both are disgusting, the dog is still around. I have PTSD now. I have rescued and loved dogs all my life. The breed is banned in many places. I’m sick of hearing that the blame goes solely on the owner. Bad, bad, bad breed.
Bad, bad attitude.
https://bestfriends.org/sanctuary/about-sanctuary/vicktory-dogs
Sorry but a website that rhapsodizes over rehabbing pit bulls taken from a dog fighting ring is not advertisement about how pit bulls are just misunderstood fluffballs at heart. This is a group who says that if a ” dog commits an unprovoked attack on a human or another animal that results in a serious injury, the dog should be managed appropriately to protect the public and other animals. Such management might include confinement to an adequately secured owner’s property, muzzling when in public, mandatory behavior modification training and other non-lethal means to protect the public during any attempts at rehabilitation.” No mention that innate behaviors like unprovoked attacks are never likely to go away no matter how much effort is spent. These people have a few screws loose. No mention of the suffering of those subjected to these serious unprovoked attacks.
Outrageous. Yes report suspicious, potential problems such as low fences, flimsy latches and dogs off leash in any public space. So sorry that happened to you. I think all owners of large dogs should be required to pass a friendly with humans test when pup is 1 year, 3 years and 6 years old…just a cheap quick test.
I have a large Dogo Argentino some call a Blue Nose Pitt and he has gotten loose a couple times but loooooves people and in 11 years has never injured a dog nor a person, has been attacked three times by off leash dogs. Attacked by a German Shepard that came at us from behind off leash while mine was leashed and animal control said what you said…report problems before attacks and advocate for stronger ordinances such as dangerous dog ordinances not just nusuance dog ordinances. (unfortunately “Voice Control” caveats exist and should not…why …no need to have a dog off leash in public spaces period. Dog parks, yards Ok otherwise sorry but on leash no matter supposed “Voice control” cause population density and people and dogs unfamiliar with one another are unpredictable conditions. “Voice control” claims are a bunch of ego cause there are extendable leashes that allow dogs to have some freedom and yet keep people safe so why insist on having one off leash no matter supposed ability to control by voice. Even police dogs aren’t walked off leash and we can assume they are extremely well trained..of course trained mostly to injure in their case. I doubt a cattle dog is going to hurt someone, herd them maybe but even still if leashes are so abhorrent to some people then they should have a yard or ranch and keep their dogs there. Another time my pup was attacked by an Akita of some sort at a dog park. Mine has been around elderly and children and is gentle as can be though he started getting aggressive with other dogs after two attacks yet still never has done anything but scratch another dog.
There is always the out when they say “I never thought they would” . The ridiculousness of that being a legal out is they have these because they wanted people to be kept away by the threat. The dogs made others cross the street over their aggression. That is why they have the kind of dog they chose and not a golden retriever. The real test should be would a reasonable person expect that such a dog could do significant damage and acted accordingly in securing them. And the fact that their “pet” is going to be lost to them should have no significance at all.
Couldn’t agree more! Although I am a big fan of dogs and I owned a sweet and lovable pit bull for 17 years, these dogs definitely do need to be put down. I also hope the owners are banned from ever having animals again.
I wonder what the law says about killing a dog that’s attacking someone 🤔
I’m sure you could kill it with no charges.
And I think you should. Because the law and the police do nothing much. Like the armed robbers and home invaders should be shot. The law does nothing so we should…
100% legal
Haha no 100% illegal to do so
Recently a stray dog came to our property and acted aggressively. It was reported to Animal control and the responding officer told us killing the dog would’ve been within our rights. This was at our residence though, so not sure how that might differ in a public setting?
If they are undergoing rabies treatment one is forced to conclude the dogs owners had no evidence of vaccination, a violation of law. I hope they realize they are liable for all medical costs of the injured men as well as for pain & suffering if they choose to sue which I fervently hope they will do.
Get yourselves a lawyer and sue the crap out of these losers. Take everything they have.
A trip to jail for the owners would be great.
You’re wrong, Steve! You ARE a hero! May you both heal quickly!!!
Thanks for the details hope everyone is okay. This is an example of why people should be able to carry firearms if they chose to.
Yes, because the average person can control his adrenaline enough to calmly aim and shoot at wildly moving animals with people within inches for a kill shot. I am a good shot. I know dog fights too. Probably the last
Place I would want to try and take a shot. The chance of accidental shooting is extremely high in this scenario. Although a couple shots fired into something safe near the fight is usually enough to temporarily frighten the animals and separate them from attack.
Having a firearm should require the owner go thru regular training. There are stories of gun owners firing a weapon and missing their target and hitting someone else. And then be charged with the accidental death of someone. Like that isn’t a crime! Then the family of the dead relative hires an attorney who takes 40% of the law suit. Everyone LOSES. Too many Second Amendment supporters who own guns and NEVER fire them for sometimes years. When the amendment was written it addressed a militia that knew and understood how to fire their single shot rifle and handgun and that did not include any citizen. As for myself I go to the range and fire my handgun once a month occasionally missing a month. Twenty-five rounds. Many times I am the only one on the range knowing there are hundreds maybe thousands of gun owners who would be hard pressed to actually fire their weapons. There is much more to a weapon than pulling the trigger.
I have a license to carry and have my pistol on me when I walk. If a dog ever comes at me or if I see someone being attacked, that dog will be dead on the spot.
Wow, what a superhero you are.
Pit bulls are aggressive, the people who breed them are clogging the humane society with their offspring, and no one wants to adopt them (Almost no one). They are a societal scourge.
https://bestfriends.org/sanctuary/about-sanctuary/vicktory-dogs
See above.
If you have time to react. If there’s only one. If it doesn’t go for your gun hand….
Yes. You think more thoroughly than many a gun owner and many dog owners too. Its the in the moment contingencies that are often not considered enough proactively…too few folks even try to think of various scenarios.
Gosh. You must be a real “tough guy”.
Too bad you weren’t on hand for the fun.
“If a dog ever comes at me or if I see someone being attacked” gets you all bent out of shape while you think threatening ” the old codger claiming he was going to take a crowbar to the beach” is fine. So what do you think a person attacked by dogs should do? Let the dogs eat in peace? As long as it’s old conger, children and women? What would you do if you saw someone attacked by dogs? Cheer the dogs on?
Amazing how the article fails to mention the obvious – at least one of the dogs was a pit bull or pit bull mix. That aside, any dog that makes a vicious unprovoked attack should be put down. Period. Maybe the owner too.
Dogs that aggressive need to be put to sleep. No excuses allowed for breaking out of their yard and attacking that man. Thank God others were there to help.
Carry a hatchet or a camping axe while walking in bluelake. Always dogs off the leash not all are friendly
I have a stroller for my dachshund that I leash her into when I walk because I don’t want her to be able to jump out but I went by a trailer and a pit bull came running out and kept trying to get at her. I kept yelling at it and even though I knew someone was inside they wouldn’t come out or call the dog off. We finally managed to get away from the dog but I reported it to the sheriff and animal control. I also watch people walking pit bulls that are towed by the dog, especially young people, this is not ok because they can’t control the dog. I live in the country and there is so many loose dogs here, some get out of their yards, some are dumped and some are just allowed to roam. I want to know where mine are at all times.
I let my dog walk in front of me but it isn’t “towing me” and is on leash and i also make him heal. In addition to being towed a vary dangerous things many dog owners allow is their dog to stare at another dog. A trainer i worked with explained let them look and then “Leave it” and and dog whisperer speaks similarly of not lettting dogs get into “Red zone” which staring is the start of. sniffing at a distance behind other dogs can help reduce potential aggression…i guess they feel they “Know” the other dog thereby better.
Yup. Bomb handling needs lots of training. Even if the bomb is your pet apparently. Sheesh. Does it ever even occur to you you don’t need a dog like that?
LOL. 11 years no problems. Everyone remarks how well trained my dog is. Every occur to you to figure out what you’re really so angry and bitter about? you sound like a ticking bomb yourself.
“I want to know where mine are at all times.” Me too. From both the thought that I don’t want my pets to cause problems for others and I don’t want them to get hurt. They were out when I was out and in when I was in. Although occasionally the choice was not always clearly mine.
iT MuSt Be tHe OwNeRs FaUlT!
Getting your dog spayed or nuterd asap will decrease the chances a dog will develop aggressive behavior,Even female dogs are not the same after there first heat cycle, they change drastically ,they are no longer the playful cheerful pup ,but if you get them fixed before one year there is less likely of your dog escaping and being a nuisance…
Why have a Pitt or Pitt mixture? There are so many dog breeds. Why does anyone have to have THAT dog?
Sorry for misspelling, It should be Pit, not Pitt.