The pit bull situation in Delaware is "out of control," said Jim Shanahan this week after his 7-pound rescue dog, Elvis, was mauled to death near Brandywine Mills Plaza.

It is one of several pit bull attacks reported in the state in recent years.

One dog dead, one missing after pit bull attack in Wilmington

While some people think the breed should be banned, the Humane Society of America believes "pit bulls" are just dogs and should not be considered inherently dangerous.

The breed has gained that reputation because they are among the most persecuted pets and may not be properly socialized or trained, the Humane Society said.

Instead of judging a dog by its breed, experts recommend paying attention to pets' body language when trying to determine if they will attack.

If a dog has a tensed body, stiff tail, pulled back ears, flicking tongue or an intense stare, it may bite. If in a situation with an aggressive dog, back away and do not turn and run because the dog's natural instinct is to chase.

Tips for surviving a dog attack

Resist the impulse to scream and run away.

Remain motionless, hands at your sides, and avoid eye contact with the dog.

Once the dog loses interest in you, slowly back away until it is out of sight.

If the dog does attack, "feed" it your jacket, purse, bicycle or anything you can put between yourself and the dog.

If you fall or are knocked to the ground, curl into a ball with your hands over your ears and remain motionless. Try not to scream or roll around.

Tips for being a responsible dog owner

Spay or neuter your dog.

Vaccinate your dog.

Take at-risk dogs to trainers.

Socialize your dog.

Train your dog.

Teach your dog how to behave.

Keep your dog away from stressful situations.

Source: Humane Society, cesarsway.com

Dog attacks in Delaware

• In one of the most reported dog attacks in Delaware, an 8-year-old's arm was ripped nearly off her body in 2014. Emily Ruckle was mauled by a family member's dog when she and her sister opened the back door.

"He went after her, just went after her. He smashed her head on the floor, then he tore off her arm. It was hanging by threads ... just skin and some tendons," Todd Ruckle, who witnessed the attack, told The News Journal in 2014.

Ruckle was rushed to the hospital, where she nearly bled out four times. She endured a series of surgeries over several years to try and regain movement in her right arm and hand.

• This year, her father, Todd Ruckle, was bitten by two pit bulls, one on the face and the other on the leg. Todd Ruckle had to undergo rabies shots after they learned the pit bulls had not been vaccinated. The dogs were quarantined after the attack.

• In March 2018, a 66-year-old woman said she and her two dogs were attacked by a stray pit bull in Cool Spring, killing one of the dogs and injuring the other. The woman, Diane Olin White, was also bitten on the hand when she got between the dogs.

More:911 call for pit bull attack in Wilmington produces no police response

• One Yorkshire terrier died after it crawled under the fence into a pit bull's yard. The dog wasn't punished, because authorities said the dog killed entered the pit bull's territory and it's a "dangerous" dog.

• In 2014, a 4-year-old boy was killed by three pit bulls in Camden after they were playing a game. Kasii Haith and the two dogs were chasing each other when the game turned violent. Haith's pregnant mother rushed in and others tried to beat the dogs off, but it was too late for the child. The dogs were euthanized.

After the death, Representative Dennis E. Williams drafted legislation to impound animals suspected of being dangerous or potentially dangerous.

Wilmington law

The Wilmington City Council voted in 2015 to remove a requirement in city law forcing owners of pit bull breeds to register their dogs and acquire a dog license.

The law was initially passed in 2000 after residents raised concern about the increased number of Wilmington pit bulls. Advocates for the legislation said they feared the breed was aggressive and used for dog fighting.

Declaring a dog dangerous

Under state law, the Justice of the Peace Court can declare a dog dangerous if it finds clear and convincing evidence that the dog has done any of the following:

Killed or inflicted physical injury or serious physical injury upon a human being. Killed or inflicted serious physical injury upon a domestic animal, provided the domestic animal was on the property of its owner or under the immediate control of its owner.

If the dog is dangerous, the owner can only keep it under the following conditions:

The dog is spayed or neutered. The owner procures and maintains liability insurance in the amount of at least $100,000, covering any damage or injury which may be caused by such dog. The dog is confined within a proper enclosure, and whenever outside of the proper enclosure the dog is securely muzzled and restrained by a substantial chain or leash, not exceeding 6 feet, and under the control of a responsible adult. The owner displays, in a conspicuous manner, a sign on the owner's premises warning that a dangerous dog is on the premises. The sign shall be visible and legible from the public highway or 100 feet, whichever is less. The owner immediately notifies the animal welfare agency when the dog is loose, unconfined, has attacked a human being or another domestic animal, has been moved to another address or dies. The owner meets any other condition that the justice of the peace court has deemed reasonable, given the circumstances of the case.

The dog cannot be sold or given away after it is declared dangerous. It can be given to animal control, which will euthanize it, according to state law.

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Contact Jessica Bies at (302) 324-2881 or jbies@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @jessicajbies.