"My dad said to walk around with a baseball bat."
Karen Eger is preparing to protect herself after a Chesapeake judge said the bulldog that bit her leg, her friend, and her dog's head will be allowed to stay with its owner.
"I can't believe the judge made that decision to allow that dog to stay. He wants to wait for what another attack? I don't care if the dog didn't have a record or not, that was a violent attack," Eger told NewsChannel 3.
In court today, Eger told the judge she was fishing inside her Lakewood neighborhood when a bulldog came running up behind her and attacked her miniature lassie, Callie, biting her in the head.
"She is my best friend. It was like seeing your child being attacked," Eger said.
She told NewsChannel 3 the attack lasted for more than ten minutes before she jumped on the bulldog.
It fought back, leaving bite marks in her leg.
"I dropped to my knees and started crying and called out for someone to call 911 and I didn't think I was able to get the dog off ."
The owner of the dog told the judge the attack was more like one or two minutes, but she still takes full blame after the dog broke out from their fence when she forgot to lock it.
An animal control officer testified the bulldog doesn't have a history of violent behavior, which is why the judge decided the dog can stay with its owner but must be on a leash at all times.
Plus, the owner is required to pay a fine. It's a punishment that doesn't satisfy Eger.
"They're making light of it like it was nothing. If that had been a child, what then? The dog gets another chance? I'll be affected by this for the rest of my life; it's that simple."
