A South Surrey resident and his dog are recovering from bite wounds after an encounter with two pit bulls last week.

Kevin Ward was walking his two-year-old corgi-terrier-cross through Southmere Village Park, 1701 Martin Dr., just before lunch Oct. 12 – Thanksgiving Day – when he noticed a man and two pit bulls approaching.

When Spiketta started barking, Ward steered his pet across the road to avoid confrontation.

He said the pit bulls – one was tan, and the other dark brown – began straining on their leashes and nipping at each other’s necks, until one broke free from the handler’s hold.

The dog chased down Spiketta, and the man followed after it, bringing the other pit bull along with him. When one of them locked its jaws on Spiketta’s shoulder, Ward said he began hitting it to free its grip.

“I thought (Spiketta) was going to die,” he recalled.

By the time the pit bull let go, Spiketta had two gashes around her neck and under her front leg. Ward said the handler would not disclose his name or address, instead saying his son, who owned the dogs, would come to Ward’s house later.

Spiketta was taken to the vet and received a dozen stitches and two draining tubes.

Ward went to the hospital for the wounds he sustained to his hands when trying to protect his pet. The bites have since become infected and swollen, and, as a result, he can barely move his fingers, he said.

Ward, a product manager for a software company, said he can’t open doors, tie his shoes, drive or type on a computer and had to miss a week of work.

While Ward was at the hospital, his wife, Jacqueline, said the pit bulls’ handler and his wife came to the house to check on Ward’s condition. Jacqueline Ward said they would not give their full names or address, and didn’t offer an apology or compensation for Spiketta’s $1,500 vet bill. They said they would return again later, but, as of earlier this week, hadn’t been back.

Kevin Ward said he called the police and SPCA. Officials with both agencies said they couldn’t act without identifying details on the handler or owner.

Police also told Ward the results may have been different had he called immediately, rather than the day after the attack.

Lorie Chortyk, BC SPCA general manager of community relations, told Peace Arch News it is difficult to track down dogs and their owners without personal information.

“If someone phones us and says, ‘My dog was attacked at a public place,’ but we go to that location and the dogs aren’t there and we have no other information, it’s almost impossible for us to know where those dogs might be or who might own them.”

Spiketta, who the Wards adopted from the SPCA in June, had her tubes removed Thursday. She is taking antibiotics and anti-inflamatory medication, and wears a cone around her neck to prevent her from scratching at the stitches, which are to be removed in about a week.

Ward said she has received permanent muscle damage, and will likely have a limp.

He hopes his story spurs others in the area to be cautious when out walking.

“That’s my concern. These dogs are powerful enough to get away from their handler; they’ve done it once, they’ll do it again.”

Anyone who witnessed the attack can contact the SPCA at 604-597-5655.