SPANISH FORT, Ala. — A Spanish Fort mother is offering a $500 reward to help police find a roaming dog that she says charged into her front yard and attacked her family’s small dog while her 8-year-old daughter held the leash. Spanish Fort police say they are investigating and believe the dog lives in the neighborhood.
The attack, which was captured on the family’s surveillance camera, happened Sept. 21 at about 3 p.m. in the front yard of the family’s home on Whitaker Avenue, according to mother Aimee Davis.
What the video shows
Davis said she was at work when she saw the surveillance video. It shows her daughter standing in the front yard with the family’s dog, Patches, on a leash. A large dog runs across the street, enters the yard and attacks Patches. Terrifying screams can be heard on the recording as the girl holds tightly to the leash.
“It’s absolutely heartbreaking to watch your child and your beloved animal go through that kind of trauma,” Davis said. “It was beyond maddening. And yes, it was ‘just a dog,’ but there was an eight year-old little girl on the other end of that leash and it’s not okay.”
Patches survives
Neighbors rushed Patches to a veterinarian, and the small dog survived. Small puncture wounds are still visible on his side from the attack. Davis said her daughter was not reported injured, but the experience was frightening for the whole family.
Years of worry about loose dogs
Davis said the attack could have been prevented. For the last four years, she said, she has not felt safe walking Patches because of dogs roaming her neighborhood. She said what happened to her family shows the danger of letting dogs run free, and that whoever owns the dog should be held accountable.
“It’s not just the animals,” Davis said. “It’s our children walking home from school while this dog is roaming.”
Police ask for the public’s help
Two days after the attack, the Spanish Fort Police Department posted video of the dog on social media, asking whether anyone had seen it. Police Chief James Barber said investigators believe the dog lives somewhere around Davis’ neighborhood.
“I think until we find the animal, I don’t think my neighbors are safe walking their dogs,” Davis said. “The only recourse I want is for the owner to be responsible with the animal.”
Davis is offering a $500 reward for information on where the dog can be found. Anyone with information is asked to call the Spanish Fort Police Department.
Case at a glance
- When: Sept. 21, 2026, about 3 p.m.
- Where: Front yard of a home on Whitaker Avenue, Spanish Fort
- What happened: A large, loose dog ran across the street and attacked a leashed small dog held by an 8-year-old girl
- Outcome: The family’s dog, Patches, survived after emergency veterinary care
- Reward: $500 from the family for information leading to the dog
- Contact: Spanish Fort Police Department
Why finding the dog matters
Beyond holding an owner responsible, locating a dog after an attack is important for public health. When a dog bites a person or another animal, officials generally want to confirm its rabies vaccination status. Alabama requires dogs and cats to be vaccinated against rabies, and dogs involved in bites to people are typically placed under observation for a period of time.
Many cities, including those in Baldwin County, also have ordinances requiring dogs to be kept on a leash or otherwise under their owner’s control when off the owner’s property. Owners of dogs that attack people or other animals can face citations and, in some cases, court proceedings that may result in restrictions on the dog.
What to do if a loose dog approaches
Animal behavior and safety experts commonly offer these tips for people walking dogs or children who encounter a loose dog:
- Stay as calm as possible and avoid running, which can trigger a chase.
- Do not stare directly into the dog’s eyes, which can be seen as a threat.
- If you can, put an object such as a bag, umbrella or jacket between yourself and the approaching dog.
- Teach children to stand still “like a tree,” with hands at their sides, if a strange dog approaches.
- If a fight breaks out, avoid reaching between the dogs with your hands, where you are more likely to be bitten.
- After any attack, seek medical or veterinary care, and report the incident to local police or animal control with a description of the dog and the direction it went.
For dog owners
Keeping a dog securely fenced or leashed protects neighbors, children and other pets, and it protects the dog itself from traffic and other dangers. Owners should check fences and gates regularly for gaps, keep up with vaccinations and make sure pets wear identification tags or are microchipped so they can be returned if they get loose.
About Spanish Fort
Spanish Fort is a fast-growing city on the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay in Baldwin County, known for its family neighborhoods and schools. As more families move to the area, residents in several neighborhoods have raised concerns over the years about loose animals and traffic around children walking to and from school.
Anyone who recognizes the dog in the video posted by the Spanish Fort Police Department, or knows where it lives, is asked to contact police.