Name: VB
Victim: Child
Location: Neighbor’s front yard, Ohio
Year of attack: 2002

Tell us about the attack

One morning me and my family were eating breakfast together. It was a normal day. I was 5, my sister was 6, and we were friends with a neighborhood boy. We wanted to go see if he wanted to play. So after we finished our breakfast, we went to his house and knocked on his door to see if he could come out. Little did we know this day would change our lives forever.

We knocked on the door, and when it opened, a huge pit bull came running out and tackled me and knocked me to the ground. I thought the pit bull was licking me but little did I know it had eaten part of my face off. My sister tried to pull it off me but it bit her on the arm then went back to eating my face. It felt like I was on the ground forever before someone got the pit bull off me. I remember standing up and having half of my face hanging.

How has your life changed as a result of the attack?
I have very bad PTSD. I get nightmares about it still and I’m now 24. It changed my life forever. Anytime I see a pit bull I freeze up in fear, horrified it will happen to me again. I don’t think I’ve actually been able to get a good night’s rest. And sometimes the scars hurt. I’m trying to get over my fear.

Legal Consequences
Fined and the pit bull was put to sleep.

What would you like people to know as a result of your attack?
I had to get reconstructive surgery on my face and shoulder. I am reminded of the attack every time I look in the mirror or when someone sees my shoulder.