Tennessee Woman Has Leg Amputated After Dog Attack

Nobody expects their own dog to attack them, but sadly this was the case for a Tennessee woman. The woman is adjusting to her new life as an amputee after a dog attack in her home caused her to have one of her legs amputated.

On December 10, the 42-year-old woman was preparing to take her dog, Dennis, out for a walk when she noticed that her rescue dog, Ralphie, had seemingly escaped from the bedroom. Just moments later, Dennis, a mixed American Pitbull and American Staffordshire Terrier, attacked Ralphie, an American Bully. Dennis lunged forward to attack Ralphie, but ended up clamping onto the woman’s left leg instead.

Dennis would not let go. While the woman was scared, she did not feel any pain because of the adrenaline. She was able to hook her right leg and arms around him and choke him out to get the dog off her. This caused the dog to bite her left hand and crush the bone in her right arm.

The woman told her 10-year-old son to stay in his room while she called for help. By the time she was able to get the dog off her leg, it was hanging on by a thread. She could not stand.

The woman made the decision to have her leg amputated. While it was possible to save her leg, it would have involved 12 more surgeries over the next two years as well as constant pain.

The woman, a healthcare worker, has been discharged from the hospital and is preparing to be fitted for a prosthetic. She is also up and mobile but does need help to use the restroom as well as use stairs. She is also still unable to go outside on her own. However, she is navigating her return to work while trying to accommodate the significant injuries to her right hand.

The woman decided to euthanize Dennis to ensure the safety of her son. It was a difficult decision, as Dennis had never been aggressive before and she had raised him since he was a puppy.

There is a GoFundMe to help pay for the woman’s medical expenses, as she cannot work much at this time. The bills are starting to come in and so far, she owes $25,000 for the orthopedic surgeons.

She is at home recovering with help from her mother and a friend. Her arm recovery is going well, although she will need to have a bone graft. She will also need extensive occupational therapy and services to fully recover.

Contact Us Today

Dogs can attack suddenly and cause life-changing injuries to their owners and other humans. These injuries can result in expensive medical bills and other costs.

A Mt. Juliet dog bite lawyer from The Law Offices of Christopher Eads, PLLC can help you if you are a victim. We have extensive experience assisting victims to hold negligent pet owners accountable. Fill out the online form or call (615) 622-6060 to schedule a consultation with our office.

Source:

people.com/mom-attacked-by-pet-dog-leg-amputated-11882976