We are heartbroken over the sudden loss of our family member, a playful and loving two-year old female Chihuahua. This wasn't just another dog, she was a part of our home and our hearts. She was my daughter's first dog and companion. Her life was tragically taken away by our neighbor's Pitbull. Despite that she was still on our property, and with no action taken by the police, it's a painful reality to deal with. Went to the courthouse and got denied. 🥲please any more advice or help?

There is a dire need for stricter laws regarding negligent pet ownership, especially when it contributes to such fatal encounters. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), around 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs each year, with children being the most common victims, and about 20% of these bites need medical attention (AVMA, Dog Bite Risk and Prevention, 2019). Regrettably, these statistics also include beloved pets who are victims of these attacks.

We believe that with proper regulation and control, such incidents can be significantly decreased or better yet, completely avoided. The onus should be on respective pet owners to ensure their pets, no matter how big or small, are not a threat to their surroundings and don't infringe on the safety of others.

Law enforcement agencies should also be given more power to press charges when such incidents occur. Transparency around the responsibilities and penalties for negligent pet owners would deter such tragic events in the future.

In memory of our beloved Chihuahua, and for every other pet family that has gone through this pain, we urge you to support this petition. Please stand with us to encourage the authorities to enforce more stringent laws for pet ownership and fatal dog attacks. It's high time we ensure the safety of every member of our families, even those on four legs. Sign the petition today. We did care about her and her memories won’t be forgotten.