What was supposed to be a routine neighborhood walk turned into a nightmare for Phoenix resident Matt Boiseau, who says he watched a pit bull attack and kill his 5-year-old dog, Charlie, right on the sidewalk. Still reeling from the loss, Boiseau is demanding answers and accountability, saying the attack never should have happened and that both the pit bull’s owner and local agencies need to step up.
Boiseau recounted the violent encounter in a local TV segment, describing how Charlie, his daily walking buddy, was mauled and did not survive the injuries. As reported by Arizona’s Family, Charlie was 5 years old and a regular companion on Boiseau’s neighborhood walks. Boiseau says he intends to push for a full investigation into why the pit bull was loose in the first place and whether its handler will face any consequences.
What Arizona Law Requires
Under Arizona law, dog owners are strictly liable if their dog bites someone who is lawfully in a public place or on private property. Lawmakers recently tightened the rules, adding a requirement that owners provide their contact information to bite victims. The change, adopted as Senate Bill 1241 and codified at A.R.S. §11‑1025, is meant to crack down on so‑called “bite‑and‑run” incidents and help victims quickly get vaccination and quarantine information, according to the Arizona Legislature. The statute also makes clear that a dog’s breed cannot be used to decide whether it is aggressive.
How to Report and Protect Yourself
If you are bitten or witness an attack, you are urged to report it to Maricopa County Animal Care & Control so officers can investigate and, if necessary, quarantine the animal. The county’s guidance explains what victims are entitled to and the penalties for an owner who leaves the scene. For immediate care, public‑health officials recommend washing any wounds thoroughly with soap and water and seeking medical treatment right away so a provider can evaluate infection risk, tetanus status and potential rabies exposure. Reporting information is available from Maricopa County Animal Care & Control, with additional health advice from the CDC…