PITTSBURG -- The story has become all too familiar: A brutal attack by a pit bull leaves its victim scarred both physically and psychologically for life.

But this one has a twist.

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The victim was not a helpless child or fleeing adult. It was a guide dog and San Francisco animal control officials are investigating the attack under a new state law.

The attack happened in the parking lot of the Pittsburg BART station Sunday evening. Like most pit bull attacks, it was stunning in the quickness in which it happened.

Marikay Batina, a volunteer trainer, says she saw a woman with a pit bull in a parked car and did everything she could to avoid what happened next.

She and Redford, the guide dog in training, had just finished a session on BART. When the two dogs saw each other, the pit bull leaped out of an open window and attacked. Redford suffered a broken jaw, crushed cheekbone and several puncture wounds to his face.

Two passersby who bravely pulled the dogs apart likely saved Redford's life.

"When I witnessed Redford being attacked, my first thought was, 'Redford could die,'" Batina said. "Considering how horrible the attack was, it's amazing these two saviors helped us and that I or these men were not mauled."

Unfortunately, such attacks are not uncommon. Officials say that one-third of the 10,000 guide dog users in the United States have suffered "some sort of run-in" with other dogs.

Mark Ruefenacht, director of the guide dog program for East Contra Costa County, said the attack may have left Redford too mentally scarred to return to the program.

"He may be fearful when he sees another dog coming toward him," Ruefenacht said.

The case has been referred under the Pavley law to San Francisco Animal Control because the dog and owner are from that city. The law went into effect on January 1st and makes attacks on guide dogs punishable with up to one year in the county jail and a maximum fine of $10,000.