Name: V.G.
Victim: Adult, Pet
Location: In my fenced yard, Arizona
Year of attack: 2018

Tell us about the attack

A neighbor’s three pit bulls dug under several fences and came in my yard. They knocked me down, severely mauling me. Muscle in my right arm was destroyed and tendons severed. My left ear was torn away and I had several bites on my head and face. While biting my head, one pit bull violently shook it. They bit my neck and the jugular vein was exposed. I had many bites over my entire body. They also mauled my 7-month-old Corgi pup.

I was taken to a Level 1 trauma center and underwent a 4-hour surgery. After surgery, I faced intense physical therapy. Additional surgery was required to restructure the ear canal. I’m left with permanent physical handicaps of my right arm and hearing. My Corgi had surgery to repair his neck, shoulder and belly.

How has your life changed as a result of the attack?
I live in fear now of large dogs, especially pit bulls. When I see one, I suffer panic attacks. I’m afraid to go out into my own yard. I’ve had to change how I do things. I’m able to write, but the right arm has little strength due to lack of muscle. This arm is significantly smaller than the left. I try to do things like opening jars or carrying groceries with the left arm, but this too is difficult. Even a couple years later, the scars are irritated, red and itchy as they have developed keloids. Despite ear canal restructure, hearing is a challenge. Doctors feel that it’s due to nerve damage from the head injuries that’s not repairable.

Legal Consequences
Despite the owner of the pit bulls petitioning for their return, the court ordered them euthanized.

What would you like people to know as a result of your attack?
These dogs are not to be trusted and are extremely dangerous. Pit bulls are bred to fight to the death. They love to fight and bite. My daughter was mauled about 30 years ago by a neighbors’ pit bull/black lab cross without reason. This dog was raised by a good family and had not been abused. I’ve seen another neighbor’s pit bull turn on his Mastiff. The Mastiff suffered severe injury as he was torn apart. There are many other similar stories of the dangers of this breed and people have died. All dogs have certain instinctual traits — such as herding dogs, etc. The pit bull is a fighter. They should never be considered as a family pet, and especially if there are children. They are time-bombs just waiting to go off.