Mesa County Animal Services says attacks are rare, but they're still occurring several times a month.

Both wild and domestic animals keep animal control officers busy.

Everyday they're responding to dozens of calls.

One of those calls came from Marilyn Trueblood after she was attacked by a dog in her own driveway.

"Right away he was barking and growling at me," Trueblood said.

Marilyn pulled into her driveway just like she typically does after work, but this time she felt trapped in her car.

"There was this huge black and white pit bull.” Trueblood explained. “He was barking and growling, biting at the side mirrors, biting at the handles, jumped on the hood, and jumped on the trunk."

Marilyn didn't get out of the car, and the dog didn't touch her.

"I’m thankful that the animal didn't bite me, jump into my car, attack me, or the kids that were getting off the bus," Trueblood said.

The damage to her car is almost $4,000.

"I was actually scared but I was more angry that this animal was just running around loose and I wondering where the owner was,” Trueblood said.

She called 9-1-1,hours later an officer came, but the dog was already gone.

Animal control officer, Melissa Wallway, says these types of calls are rare.

"Usually it’s just your average dog at large running around visiting neighbors," Wallway said.

She says Marilyn did the right thing by staying in her car.

"Definitely stand still,” Wallway said. “If you start running that's going to increase their prey drive."

After her experience, Marilyn is giving a warning. She says, "Just be aware because even though you're in your own neighborhood, there are aggressive animals running around."

If an aggressive dog is at large, its owner faces a minimum fine of $250 and that fine increases with every incident.