Pit Bull Misses Event Because He Doesn’t Like "Certain Kinds of Dogs" — Here’s Why

Bruce Bezerra is a six-year-old Pit Bull. But when he was six months old, one walk with his owner changed how he would behave on every walk afterward.

Recently, a video of Bruce went viral on TikTok, in which his owner, Elenica Araújo — who lives in Rio de Janeiro — told him he couldn’t go to the opening of his veterinarian’s new clinic because there would be too many dogs wearing collars.

Amo Meu Pet (our Brazilian website about pet news) contacted Elenice to learn more and share the full story. As mentioned earlier, when Bruce was six months old, he was out for a walk with his owner and crossed paths with another dog — a Chow Chow — who was also walking through the neighborhood.

During the encounter, the two dogs had a disagreement, and the other dog bit Bruce on the neck — he was just a puppy at the time.

Despite the breed’s reputation for being aggressive, Bruce is affectionate and doesn’t attack strangers — at least not until he’s provoked.

Bruce didn’t stand a chance and needed veterinary care. “The Chow Chow managed to injure the back of his neck — Bruce came home with four puncture wounds. He was treated, but now every time he sees a dog wearing a collar, he tries to attack,” explained Elenica in an interview posted on Bruce’s Instagram profile.

He developed a fear of dogs that wear collars, as the accessory reminds him of a very difficult and traumatic day.

It’s every owner’s responsibility to ensure their pet’s safety, and to train and manage their behavior so they don’t hurt others.

Unfortunately, the Chow Chow’s owner was not held responsible for the attack. According to Elenice and her husband, they didn’t know the man who owned the Chow Chow, and their priority at the time was getting Bruce to the hospital for urgent care.

“Using a leash is essential — just like using a muzzle. Bruce doesn’t wear a muzzle because he was overweight and had trouble breathing, so we decided to stop using it. He’s docile and has never attacked, but it’s important to understand the space and respect boundaries when approaching another dog,” the owner emphasized.

Bruce carries trauma, but not resentment. Knowing his behavior, Elenice is careful not to take him to places that might trigger those painful memories.

“He can’t have contact with other dogs on leashes, but I can usually divert his attention when something unexpected happens,” she concluded.

Besides the collar, the Chow Chow breed also stands out in Bruce’s memory — and to this day, he hasn’t made friends with any dogs of that breed. Currently, Bruce leads a normal life, goes for walks and loves being with his family. He also has an adorable feline brother.

Follow Bruce’s routine on Instagram and TikTok. Watch the video below: