Willow Vet Fund (Attacked on walk)

Just after 6 PM Sunday August 14th, 2016 I took my newly adopted Beagle, Willow, for a walk at our usual spot, the Esmond Memorial Park in Smithfield, RI. It's a nice little public area with a small body of water with a bridge that goes over it. We had walked that area atleast a dozen or so times in our 4 weeks since adopting her from a rescue organization. As we were going over the bridge, a white man, say 27-30 years old, wearing a white t-shirt, and holding the leash attatched to a dark (black?) colored pitbull type dog, emerged from the front end of the connecting path. "There's alot of bugs", he remarked to me as we got closer. His voice and attitude were that of a streetwise person, or someone who sounded like a cross between Mark Wahlberg, and Eminem. "Oh Ok", I remarked as I tried to quietly pass by and continue on our way. At that instant, his dog lunged at Willow in a flash, and the owner pulled the dog back quickly and scolded it, "What is wrong with you?!", he yelled at the aggressive dog. Thinking that this horrible encounter was now over, I looked down in horror and noticed that a small thumb sized portion of Willow's left ear was now missing. Her ear was dripping with blood, and I screamed "HEY! GUY!!!". He responded saying "Let me just go put the dog back in the house." I saw him walk down Whitman St. which was directly across from the park. My attention turned to that of my dog, and making sure she was OK. After a few minutes of waiting desperately on the sidewalk, this person never returned to offer his information and/or accept responsibility. I hurried home up the street with my wounded dog and quickly grabbed my cell phone which had been charging on the couch. I dialed Smithfield PD who basically stated "We have other high priority calls, you will have to talk to Animal Control. They open tomorrow at 8 AM." I quickly jotted down the number that he provided, his voice at the other end of the line sounding less than compassionate. I then rushed to google and did a search for "emergency vet" and the closest one was in East Greenwich. We rushed to the car, I driving well over the speed limit, with one hand putting pressure on her bitten ear with a wash cloth that I had grabbed from the bathroom. When we got there, blood from her ear began to drip all over the reception floor. I filled out some forms as they brought her to be treated, and then sat in a small exam room with several large knots in my stomach. Trying to fight the nausea, I listened to the vet go over options including sututres, and another including a surgeon. These places are staffed with the best of people in this profession, but you can't walk out without having to spend a thousand or more dollars. As a blue collar guy, i'll be honest in saying that i'm usually working pay check to pay check, just typically getting by by the seat of my pants each month. My immediate family (mother) was kind enough to provide a credit card to cover the sutures, overnight stay, etc. etc. etc., however she should not be the one burdened with the cost relating to the actions of an irresponsible, dare I say, criminal, dog owner. I spoke with Smithfield animal control at approximately 840 AM this morning and the gentleman "Tom" was understanding enough, and said he would do what he could, but I am not confident that they will be able to locate this person/dog as I'm sure they are in hiding. I was supposed to return to work today after being off for a couple weeks spending time with my daughters, but I barely slept and was ill several times during the night. I feel powerless, and I know I shouldn't blame myself for walking my dog in a public area on a leash/harness, but I still do. I feel like I have failed. I'm tired of being told "there's not much we can do", and feeling like a victim. I shouldn't have to go door to door to try and find them, but I'm in fear that this will happen again if left unremedied. I am writing this out on Gofundme as a point of catharsis, but also to ask for any donations that anyone might be kind enough to provide, so that I can put it towards Willow's vet bill at Ocean State Veterinary Specialists who put her bill at a conservative 1100.00. It would mean so much to me, and my family. I know it could have been worse, and the physical damage higher;  to me 1100.00 is a crippling finanical blow, and I appreciate any/all generosity. If at the very least this posting spreads awareness, then I can feel some sort of solace. 

Thank you for reading this, and please be careful out there. There are those that do not posess common sense, or any form of human decency. We should not turn a blind eye to it. We need the intelligence of good people to overcome the ignorance of the stupid and the cowardly.  Be good to eachother. -V. Thomas Izzo III (Tom)