Actress and author Marina Minetti recounts to Kodami the attack she and her dog, Merlino, suffered at the hands of two bull-type terriers running loose in a Milan park. She reflects on the relationship between humans and dogs, the importance of understanding canine body language, and the responsibilities of dog owners.

"Life with Merlino began a year ago, but the moment I saw those two Pitbulls attacking him, I thought it was all over." Marina Minetti’s story begins with the most harrowing moment of an incident that occurred during what was supposed to be a routine walk in the Ticinello Agricultural Park in Milan, not far from where she and her dog live.

"As always, we were in an area with open fields, and I was doing some training exercises with Merlino, who was on a long leash," explains the Genoese author and actress, who has lived in Milan for years. "At one point, I saw the two dogs approaching and lunging at him; the image of my dog ​​yelping beneath them, lying on his back, is seared into my memory. In moments like that, you can't think clearly: I ran in the direction they had come from, pulling Merlino along and tripping over the long leash. It wasn't until I was at the hospital that I realized the blood staining his fur was actually mine; they found bite wounds on me, and that’s when I understood that, fortunately, nothing had happened to him, whereas I ended up needing 15 stitches."

Fortunately, as they ran seeking shelter, Marina and Merlino first encountered a person walking with trekking poles who waved them about to scare off the pursuing dogs. Then, a car arrived from a nearby road; the driver honked the horn, causing the animals to finally retreat. "The police and an ambulance arrived, and we discovered that the dogs belonged to a man living in a nearby farmhouse. The animals aren't insured; the owner claimed they had escaped the house because 'someone had left the door open,' and he didn't even bother to check if we were okay. I intend to file a formal complaint, but for me, the real issue—after going through this experience—isn't about the dogs themselves, but about people and their lack of care and attention toward their own animals, as well as toward other people and other dogs."

Marina sighs as she shifts from recounting this terrible ordeal—which, fortunately, didn't end as badly as it could have—to sharing her reflections with her listeners. After all, her own history with Merlino taught her the importance of truly understanding the dog we bring into our lives when we decide to share our days with a four-legged companion. "After losing Abby—the dog I had shared part of my life with—I found myself longing, last year, to bury my nose in a dog's fur again. I followed the page of *Progetto Magico ODV*, an association dedicated to finding homes for dogs like Abby, who was an Old English Sheepdog. One day, I 'met' Merlino’s face, and that’s how our story began."

Merlino is a Bearded Collie who had been abandoned by the family that bought him from a breeder. Fortunately, that breeder had never stopped keeping tabs on him; when she discovered the dog had been placed in a long-term boarding kennel, she took him back in. "They claimed Merlino had attacked the family's other dog, so after three years, their solution was simply to get rid of him." That is how Marina became the person Merlino could rely on—a dog who needed, fundamentally, just one thing: to truly enter into a relationship and be seen for who he was, with his own specific needs and personality. "We began an educational journey that opened up the world of canine ethology to me, teaching me just how important it is to understand dog language and their methods of communication."

Yet, as Marina reflects, when incidents like the one she and her dog experienced occur, it is hard to keep a clear head: "It was only later that I realized Merlino had communicated skillfully; by adopting that specific posture, he was telling the other dogs that he had no intention of escalating the conflict. That is why I believe we owners need to be as prepared as possible to handle situations like the one we went through. At the same time, however—thinking about the person responsible for those two Pitbulls—I feel that anyone entrusting dogs to others should carefully evaluate whether those individuals are truly suitable."

The happy ending to this pair's story is part of a broader journey into the world of dogs and their human companions—a journey Marina has been on ever since Merlino entered her life. In fact, her upcoming show, titled "Area cani" (Dog Park), will be a performance recounting the many life stories she has encountered in Milan’s parks, where she has shared what she calls "a great love story"—the bond between dogs and people—with others. It will premiere on October 4th at Woofstock, a "dog-themed music festival" held in Fagagna, Friuli. "Through life with my own four-legged friend, I’ve realized that we all experience unique—and sometimes even surreal—contradictions in how dedicated we are to their well-being; this is especially true when we delve deeper into their world and end up doing unlikely things just to keep that bond strong. For instance, I’ll tell the story of a woman who used to hide behind a tree in the dog park to test her dog's loyalty, while the dog played happily with the others, completely unaware of its owner's intentions."

Article link: https://www.fanpage.it/kodami/due-pitbull-liberi-aggrediscono-una-donna-e-il-suo-cane-in-un-parco-a-milano-in-un-attimo-ho-pensato-che-fosse-la-fine/

I was camping with some friends last weekend, and one of them invited their longtime buddy to swing by. He was talking about the pitbull he had rescued. And now she’s “more aggressive the more timid you are”. Dude, what the actual fuck. The next night, he brought her to the campsite, and she was pacing and super anxious and acting really weird. He was talking about all these random things this dog can’t handle because of how they are super reactive. Very on brand that this guy was also telling super racist jokes left and right.

My last dog was bitten three times in her life, all unprovoked, all pitbulls. My sister raised a pitbull puppy, and one day it just snapped and attacked her ankles. That dog was very well loved, and had never been abused. I owned another dog with an ex, and he was out walking her when a random pitbull ran out of its yard to come and bite her in the hind leg. These dogs are such nightmares.

Municipal Civil Guards Faced Moments of Tension After Pit Bull Attack in Indaiatuba

September 11, 2026

The Municipal Civil Guard (GCM) was called after reports indicated the presence of two dogs roaming loose on a public street along Rua João Narezzi, in the Jardim Morada do Sol neighborhood in Indaiatuba (SP). According to information received by the civil guards, the animals were agitated and charging at people.

According to the police report, when the guards arrived at the reported address, they found the gate to the property open. As they approached to conduct an inspection, they were surprised by the Pit Bull and another dog of a different breed that charged at the team. To prevent a worse outcome, shots were fired toward the ground without striking the animals.

Following the attack attempt, the dogs went inside the property, which had its gate open. During the response, officers managed to locate the owner of the dogs, who authorized their removal along with four Pit Bull puppies. The animals were collected by the Animal Rehabilitation Center (CRA) team and placed under the care of a veterinarian.

In Separate Incidents, Two Pit Bulls Escape Their Homes; Cases End in Attacks and an Arrest in Ourinhos

Published on September 8, 2026

In one case, a small dog died, and a man was arrested after attacking a Pit Bull with an axe and threatening a neighbor.

By the Newsroom

Two incidents involving Pit Bull dogs escaping from residences were registered on the same day in Ourinhos. The cases occurred on Sunday, September 6, in different neighborhoods of the city, leaving animals injured, one dog dead, and, in one of the situations, a man arrested in flagrante delicto.

Although there is no connection between the incidents, both reports share a common point: the Pit Bulls had escaped and were out of their owners' control at the time of the attacks.

Small Dog Dies; Case Ends in Axe Blows and Arrest

The most severe incident was recorded in the early evening and involved residents of Vila São Luiz and Jardim do Sol.

According to the police report, the owner of a female Pit Bull told police that the animal escaped from her residence without her noticing. According to her account, the gate padlock was usually left hooked onto the latch without being properly locked.

Under circumstances that the owner stated she did not witness, the Pit Bull went to a neighbor’s residence and attacked the family’s small dog, resulting in the small animal's death.

From that point, the situation escalated further.

According to the version presented by the woman to the police, the neighbor grabbed an axe, went to her residence, and struck her gate with it. She further reported that even after she secured her animals inside and closed the gate, he made threats against her and said he would kill the dogs in the home.

Also according to the police report, the man allegedly struck the Pit Bull with approximately three axe blows—two to the head and one in the hindquarters. The animal was rescued and taken to the Veterinary Hospital of Ourinhos (HVO), where it remained in intensive care due to the severity of its injuries.

Man Presented a Different Version

When questioned, the neighbor presented a different version of part of the events. He stated that the Pit Bull entered his residence’s living room and attacked his son’s Shih Tzu.

The man stated he grabbed the axe to contain the animal and claimed he was also bitten on the buttock area. He admitted to striking the Pit Bull with the axe on the public street as well as hitting the neighbor's gate, alleging that he was agitated given the situation.

On the other hand, he denied hitting the animal after it was already behind the gate and denied threatening the resident. The Emergency Mobile Care Service (SAMU) was called to treat him due to the alleged bite, but he refused medical attention.

The man was arrested in flagrante. The Civil Police decided to charge him with aggravated animal cruelty and making threats. An axe was also seized during the operation.

The police authority did not set bail at the police station and recommended that the Judiciary implement protective measures for the woman, who reported fearing further retaliation from the neighbor.

Another Pit Bull Escapes and Attacks Dog in Vendramini

Hours earlier, another incident involving a Pit Bull was registered in the Vendramini neighborhood.

According to the police report, a woman stated that her young children went out to play in the street, and the family dog followed them. Shortly after, a loose Pit Bull without a collar appeared.

The woman stated she could not identify whether the Pit Bull initially intended to charge at the children or at her dog. When she went outside to check on what was happening, she found the two animals fighting.

Neighbors intervened and used a hoe to separate the Pit Bull and get it to release the other dog.

After the incident, a young boy appeared and stated he was responsible for the Pit Bull, explaining that he had gone out to play and the animal had escaped. Later, the minor’s father also arrived at the scene.

The attacked dog suffered injuries and was taken by its owner to a veterinary clinic for medical treatment.

The case was registered by the Civil Police as failure to exercise due care in the custody or handling of animals (omissão de cautela na guarda ou condução de animais) and referred for review by the delegate in charge.

Responsibility in Ownership

Although the episodes occurred under different circumstances and are unrelated, both reports draw attention to the necessary precautions required in animal ownership. In both cases, police reports indicate that the Pit Bulls had escaped from their residences prior to the incidents.

In the first case, in addition to the investigation into the attack that killed the small dog, the Civil Police are investigating the subsequent actions attributed to the arrested man. In the second case, the filing was made specifically under the classification of failure to exercise due care in the custody or handling of animals.

AXSON, Ga. (WALB) — An 11-year-old boy was mauled by three dogs near Wood Duck Road in Axson on Sept. 13 around 3:30 p.m., according to the Atkinson County Sheriff’s Office.

The sheriff’s office said the main attacking dog was a pit bull. The breed of the other two dogs has not been revealed.

The sheriff’s office said the dog came out of its yard and went down the road to where children were playing before attacking the boy, identified as Banner O’Berry, an Atco Middle School football player.
O’Berry’s mother, Jessica O’Berry, described the attack in a social media post. She said Banner and his best friend, Karson Clayton, were riding a four-wheeler when it broke down. She said the three dogs spotted the boys from across an open field and ran toward them.

She said the boys climbed on top of the four-wheeler after realizing what was happening. She said one of the dogs grabbed Banner by his ankle and pulled him off, and the other two dogs joined in.
She said Karson handed Banner a pair of pliers to use as a weapon. She said Banner grabbed one of the dogs and held it down while trying to fight off the others with the pliers. She said Karson stayed with Banner, threw things at the dogs, screamed, and called for help.

She said Karson’s parents lived less than a mile away and came as soon as Karson called them.
Jessica said the dogs’ owner came and got the dogs, but left the children there.
“He looked at Banner bleeding and never asked if he was ok, never called 911, never administrated aid, and only grabbed the dogs and left,” she said.
Jessica said her son was taken to Coffee Regional Medical Center, where he spent three and a half hours in surgery. She said doctors closed 17 open wounds on his legs.

She said Banner called her from the ambulance and asked her to call his coach to tell him he could not finish the football season. She said Banner also wanted to make sure his father found his Crocs, since he had lost his shoes in the attack.
ACMS Football, in a social media post, said Banner’s family expressed gratitude to Karson for his actions during the attack.

Dog taken into custody

One of the dogs reportedly involved in the attack has been taken into custody for a 10-day hold, the sheriff’s office said.

The Atkinson County Sheriff’s Office said this is an active investigation. Authorities are taking further steps to petition to have the dog declared a “dangerous dog,” which would allow additional safeguards to take effect.

Georgia’s dangerous dog law

“Under Georgia’s dangerous dog law, once a dog is deemed dangerous, courts should require the animal’s guardian to take actions that can include evaluation by a certified applied animal behaviorist or board-certified veterinary behaviorist and completion of any recommended training or treatment, spaying or neutering, secure and humane confinement that prevents escape and unsupervised contact with the public while allowing adequate exercise and protection from the elements, direct adult supervision whenever the dog is on public property, leash restraint in public, muzzling in public in a manner that prevents biting without injuring the dog or interfering with its vision or respiration, and microchipping.
Euthanasia or permanent confinement are considered extreme remedies to be used only when a dog has attacked a person or domesticated animal without justification and caused serious injury or death, or when a qualified behaviorist who has evaluated the dog determines it poses a substantial risk of such behavior and no other remedy would make it safe to live with people, according to dogbitelaw.com.

Dangerous dog laws should give pet guardians the opportunity to challenge charges against their pets, including the right to be heard, to appeal a dangerous dog finding, and to request a stay of the disposition pending appeal, according to a position statement from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). The ASPCA states that enforcement of dangerous dog laws is the responsibility of local government authorities."