Pitbull attack in Altstätten: woman loses ear, holder escapes!

Pitbull attack in Altstätten: woman loses ear, holder escapes!

Höhlistrasse bei der Eichberger Raststation, 9450 Altstätten, Schweiz - A terrifying incident occurred on June 12, 2025 in Altstätten, canton of St. Gallen. A 56-year-old woman was seriously injured by a non-leash Pitbull when she was near the Eichberger Raststation. The dog added serious injuries to her, including the loss of a third of her right ear and bite wounds on the neck, leg and chest. The dog owner, which supposedly did not intervene, fled with his dog and cell phone after the incident.

The husband of the injured woman reported that the owner nodded in the direction of the dog shortly before the attack. When the woman asked for help, he first snatched her cell phone and then left her alone. After the attack, the woman was able to flee to a nearby hut, where she stayed about 30 minutes until support arrived. The incident led to a criminal proceedings by the public prosecutor's office of the canton of St. Gallen against a suspect. So far, however, there are no arrests and the investigation is ongoing, with the presumption of innocence.

public security and dog behavior

The cantonal veterinarian Lukas Kenel said that the Pitbull is no longer a danger to the public after the incident. However, specific measures against the dog were not announced for data protection reasons. Kenel described the case as "extraordinary", especially because of the behavior of the owner, who did not take care of the well -being of his bitch.

statistics indicate that dog bites represent a widespread problem. In the United States, around 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs annually, which corresponds to an average of 73 Americans. These incidents occur particularly often in the summer months, with children and delivery drivers often affecting. Over 75 % of the bites are done in a familiar environment, often through dogs that the victims know. Most of the incidents are defensive and result from fear, pain or overexcitation.

prevention and education

In order to avoid such incidents in the future, responsible dog keeping is essential. Experts advise to take preventive measures to reduce the risk of dog bites. This includes learning the body language of dogs and sensitive training that promotes positive behaviors. Children should train in respectful use of dogs and teach them to recognize warning signals.

worldwide there are alarming numbers on dog bites, as the reports on [Petradar] (https://www.petradar.org/de/artikel/statistiken-zu-hundebissen-2025-uren-risiken-und- and- and In India, for example, around 17.4 million bites occur annually, while in Australia over 100,000 bites are recorded. These statistics illustrate the urgency of effective prevention and education in dealing with dogs.