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In a shocking incident in Brazil, a 33-year-old Muay Thai coach, Ernesto Chaves, found himself fighting for his life against two attacking pit bulls on the street. After nearly five minutes of intense confrontation, he managed to subdue the dogs, but not without sustaining serious injuries, including a leg injury and a fractured finger. In a post-incident interview, he expressed his lingering fear, stating, "I truly thought I was going to die there!"

This harrowing event took place in Ponta Porã, a city in the southern Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul, on the morning of June 29, 2025. At the time, Chaves was out for a run, listening to music through his headphones, when he suddenly noticed two pit bulls charging toward him. Initially, he thought the dogs were just looking to play, but it wasn't until one of them clamped down on his leg that he realized the severity of the situation.

Recalling the terrifying moment, Chaves said, "I tried to escape, but they were too strong. I honestly thought I was going to die!" One pit bull bit his leg while the other lunged for his neck. Despite his desperate calls for help, no one from the surrounding area dared to intervene, paralyzed by fear. "When I realized they were attacking me, I attempted to flee. I've trained in Muay Thai and spent time in a martial arts club, so I have seen various defensive situations, but I truly thought I was going to die. They were incredibly strong, and I felt I couldn't handle them," he recounted.

After approximately five minutes of fighting using his Muay Thai and jiu-jitsu skills, Chaves finally succeeded in pinning the two pit bulls to the ground. It was only then that bystanders began to approach and assist him in securing the animals. Shortly thereafter, local police and firefighters arrived to take the injured Chaves to the hospital.

Following the incident, Chaves shared footage of the attack captured by passersby on social media, highlighting the significant threat this event posed to public safety. He noted that the incident occurred in a busy area, just 200 meters from a kindergarten, warning that if the victims were children or vulnerable individuals, the outcome could have been devastating. Furthermore, he expressed his outrage towards the pit bulls' owner, Nerival Silva Menezes, criticizing his negligence that has impacted Chaves' ability to work. As a martial arts coach who relies on his physical condition, the consequences of this attack were particularly dire for him.

According to local police reports, Menezes explained that the pit bulls were supposed to act as "guard dogs" for a nearby construction site and were usually kept in a warehouse. He claimed that someone deliberately released the dogs due to thefts occurring at the site. Local police officials indicated that they would investigate the validity of his claims. Menezes could face charges of negligence in caring for the animals and causing bodily harm to others, with penalties potentially reaching up to twelve years in prison.