A family is reeling after their beloved dog was mauled to death by a dangerous pit bull wearing an 'adopt me' vest at a popular public park in Washington.
The Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County took the dog, Dallas, to the crowded Tacoma City marathon on Sunday in an attempt to rehome the violent canine.
But while walking around the park, Dallas attacked the dog of runner Paul Baek. The small dog, Brownie, was being walked by Baek's wife when the pit bull latched on and began shaking it violently from side to side.
Baek pulled his dog out of Dallas' mouth and watched it die in his arms, he told The News Tribune, adding that just moments earlier Brownie had jumped into his arms as he crossed the finish line.
'His owner was sobbing on the ground, holding [his body] while people surrounded him,' witness Alexis Drugge told KOMO News.
Drugge, who had her back turned to the dogs when the incident occurred, said the Humane Society volunteer was standing nearby with Dallas, looking 'lost and traumatized' after the pets were separated.
The pit bull had previously been adopted but was returned to the shelter just days before the marathon. It is unclear why the previous owner returned Dallas, who has since been euthanized after being declared dangerous.
A pit bull named Dallas killed another pet at the Tacoma City marathon on Sunday, just days after he was returned to the shelter for unknown reasons
Paul Baek's dog Brownie was attacked moments after his owner crossed the finish line
Drugge consoled the volunteer after the attack, while Dallas was kept on a tight leash as they walked along the pier away from the attack.
'It is completely unacceptable that they were at this event,' Drugge said. 'The Humane Society is supposed to be saving dogs, but they got two dogs killed,' she added.
Baek questions why Dallas was allowed out at a crowded event without a muzzle when he had been returned to the shelter just days before.
'There must be change,' Baek told the outlet. 'This case can change them. His death is meaningful.'
The pet shelter said in a statement it was 'deeply sorry for the harm this caused and the pain felt by those affected.'
'We take full responsibility for understanding how this happened and for addressing any deficiencies in our processes, oversight, or safeguards,' it said.
Dallas attacked Brownie while Baek's wife was walking him after the event. Baek had to pull his dog out of Dallas' mouth
Brownie died in Baek's arms. Baek and witness Alexis Drugge want the Humane Society to change its ways after the incident, as they both said Dallas should not have been allowed at the marathon
The Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County apologized for the tragedy and announced Dallas was later deemed dangerous and euthanized
'The safety and well-being of animals and our community is central to our work, and we take incidents like this very seriously.'
The shelter is also reviewing its event protocols, including 'how dogs are selected and managed at off-site events.'
Marathon event organizers are also reevaluating their relationship with the Humane Society, which has been associated with them for two decades, it told KOMO News.
'As pet owners ourselves, our team cares deeply about animal welfare and wants nothing but the best for them,' it said.
When contacted by the Daily Mail, the Humane Society declined to say why Dallas had been returned to the shelter or why he was allowed to attend the event.
The organization did, however, offer to pay for Brownie's cremation, Baek told The News Tribune.
The marathon was not hosting an adoption event, but adoptable pets have been brought to the race for years. If anyone is interested in pets, like Dallas, they'd be directed to the shelter.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Baek and Drugge for comment.