Salina Votes on Pit Bull Ban After Vicious Attack

Caitlyn Forsberg, victim of a 2004 pit bull attack, speaks out as city considers repealing breed-specific ordinance.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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Ballots have started arriving in the mail for a special election in Salina, Kansas that will decide whether to repeal the city's ordinance banning pit bull dogs. The ordinance was enacted in 2004 after a vicious pit bull attack on 3-year-old Caitlyn Forsberg, who suffered severe facial injuries. Now 25 years old, Caitlyn shares her memories of the attack and the lasting trauma, though she holds no ill will toward the breed.

Why it matters

The pit bull ban has been a contentious issue in Salina for over two decades, with the city revisiting the ordinance several times. Caitlyn's story was the catalyst for the original ban, and her face became the public symbol of the need for breed-specific legislation. As Salina residents now vote on whether to overturn the ban, Caitlyn's perspective provides important context on the real-world impacts of these policies.

The details

In May 2004, 3-year-old Caitlyn Forsberg was playing in her backyard with the family's Golden Retriever when a neighbor's pit bull attacked her, causing severe facial injuries. Caitlyn credits her dog Osh Gosh with saving her life that day. The attack was one of 24 pit bull bite incidents in Salina over a two-year span, sparking outrage and leading the city to enact a ban on the breed in 2004. Though Caitlyn has since recovered physically, the mental trauma has lasted for over two decades.

  • In May 2004, Caitlyn Forsberg was attacked by a neighbor's pit bull.
  • Between 2003-2004, there were 24 pit bull bite incidents in Salina.
  • The Salina City Commission enacted the pit bull ban following Caitlyn's attack.
  • In December 2019, the city voted 3-2 to not overturn the breed-specific ordinance.
  • On October 27, 2025, a petition to repeal the pit bull ban was validated, triggering a special election.

The players

Caitlyn Forsberg

A 25-year-old woman who was viciously attacked by a pit bull as a 3-year-old child in 2004, sparking the city's ban on the breed.

Osh Gosh

Caitlyn's family's Golden Retriever dog who she credits with saving her life during the 2004 pit bull attack.

Salina City Commission

The governing body that enacted the pit bull ban in Salina following Caitlyn's attack in 2004.

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What they’re saying

“Though some of them have faded, I still have memories of that day.”

— Caitlyn Forsberg (KSAL News)

“Had it not been for my dog Osh Gosh, I may not have survived the attack.”

— Caitlyn Forsberg (KSAL News)

“The scarring on my face, which is still there but not nearly as visible as it was 22-years-ago, made for a challenging childhood.”

— Caitlyn Forsberg (KSAL News)

“Though it's not what I want to define me, I don't necessarily want the picture to disappear.”

— Caitlyn Forsberg (KSAL News)

“Dog owners, and those who consider getting a dog, have a responsibility.”

— Caitlyn Forsberg (KSAL News)

What’s next

The special election in Salina to decide the fate of the pit bull ban will be held on February 24, 2026. Ballots have already been mailed to registered voters within the city limits, and the results will determine whether the breed-specific ordinance is repealed or remains in place.

The takeaway

Caitlyn Forsberg's personal experience with a vicious pit bull attack as a child has had a lasting impact on her life and the city of Salina. As residents now vote on overturning the breed ban, her story serves as a powerful reminder of the real-world consequences of these policies and the responsibility all dog owners have to ensure public safety.