Alethia & Amy: Surgery, Recovery, and Legal Action

Ava Pommerenk is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Fred Geisler.

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UPDATE AS OF December 20, 2023:

Alethia has written a personal message to everyone who has helped with this campaign! Read it below in English or Spanish.

Alethia ha escrito un mensaje personal para todos los que han ayudado con esta campaña! Léalo a continuación en inglés o español.

"I want to thank you for all the support, all the messages, the visits, your donations, the delicious food you have brought me, your valuable time, car rides, all the Prayers, Love and affection towards me.

Thanks to your donations, the cost of the surgery at the hospital was covered, and also the 10 hyperbaric oxygen chamber sessions that came highly recommended by my doctor for a quick recovery.

I don't have words to thank you so much. I feel broken and lost. Days after the attack, the dog's owner went yelling things outside my house. This affected me in so many ways, I had to call the police. I have experienced things I never imagined. I feel paranoid at times, feeling persecuted, I have had horrible nightmares where the dog attacks me, where the neighbors attack me. I don't feel safe. I have even considered moving out of town. Traumas are real and I ask that if you have a family member, friend or someone close to you who feels anxiety, fear, paranoia, please empathize with this person and seek help.

I am taking oxygenation chamber sessions to help my body heal and reduce inflammation more quickly. Last Wednesday, I had an appointment with the surgeon who operated on me and he says that everything is going well. In 10 days I can begin to support 20% of my leg with the help of a compression legging. The stitches will be removed the first week of January. I have started with some exercises for working with trauma, that Ava shared with me to help me calm down when I have anxiety, and I am going to start with visits to the psychologist as well.

All your support and love continue to confirm to me the Beautiful Community that We Are. I am eternally grateful to you.

I wish you that everything beautiful in this world happens to you. May Love, Compassion, Health, Peace, Tranquility always be present in you and your loved ones. May we celebrate every day for the Gift of being Alive. Thank you for sharing this path with me. With Love, Alethia"

"Quiero Agradecer todas las muestras de apoyo, todos los mensajes, las visitas, sus donativos, la rica comida que me han traido, su valioso tiempo, todas las Oraciones, Amor y cariño hacia mi persona.

Gracias a sus donativos se pudo cubrir el costo de la cirugía en el hospital. También las 10 sesiones de cámara hiperbarica.

No tengo palabras para agradecer tanto. Me sentido rota y pérdida. Días después del ataque, el dueño del perro fue a gritar cosas afuera de mi casa. Esto me afectó de muchísimas formas, tuve que llamar a la policía. He experimentado cosas que jamas imagine. Siento paranoia en ocasiones, el sentirme perseguida, he tenido pesadillas horribles donde el perro me ataca, donde los vecinos me atacan. No me siento segura. He considerado hasta mudarme del Pueblo.

Los traumas son reales y les pido que si tiene algún familiar, amigo o alguien cercano que sienta ansiedad, miedo, paranoia, tengan empatía con esta persona y busquen ayuda.

Estoy tomando sesiones de cámara de oxigenación para ayudar a mi cuerpo ha cicatrizar y desinflamar de una forma más rápida. El miércoles pasado tuve cita con el cirujano que me operó y dice que todo va bien. En 10 días puedo comenzar a apoyar un 20% del pie con ayuda de una media de compresión. Los puntos me serán retirados la primer semana de enero.

He comenzado con unos ejercicios que Ava me compartió para poder tranquilizarme cuando tengo ansiedad y voy a empezar con visitas al psicólogo también.

Todo su apoyo y amor me siguen confirmando la Hermosa Comunidad que Somos. Les estoy eternamente agradecida.

Les deseo que todo lo bonito de este mundo les pase. Que el Amor, la Compasión, la Salud, la Paz, la Tranquilidad estén siempre presentes en Ustedes y sus seres queridos. Que cada día celebremos por el Regalo de estar Vivos. Gracias por Compartir este camino conmigo.

Con Amor, Alethia"

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On November 24, 2023, in Sayulita, Mexico, Alethia Aguilar, heard someone screaming and went quickly to see if she could help. As is often the case, the extremely aggressive dog of her neighbor was loose. It had blood dripping from its mouth from an earlier attack. As Alethia called 911, the dog turned towards her and took her down, biting her in multiple places in one leg. The bites were severe enough to leave her with a fracture and ripped muscles. She would need to undergo surgery immediately, in order to recover properly from this attack.

The dog owner drove her to the Punta Mita hospital. Once the owners (wife included) were told the cost for Alethia's surgery, they decided they couldn't and/or wouldn't cover Alethia's expenses, in any way. They promptly left her there without assistance. Two friends met Alethia at the hospital, using their credit cards to help with the paying down a deposit so she could get the emergency medical care she immediately needed.

Alethia had a successful surgery and stayed overnight to recover in the hospital. The following day she was brought home by friends and carried up to her apartment.

Sadly, this is not the first time the owner of this dog, has brought an aggressive dog to the community. This is in fact the second vicious attack on a human, this year. These dogs have attacked multiple other dogs, chased people in golf carts with intent to attack, and the owner has also physically threatened a community member. This neighbor/dog owner has been confronted peacefully and has done nothing to stop these attacks or repair damages done.

Back in June 2023, Amy, another member of the community was walking her dog when it was attacked. In an attempt to help her puppy, Amy intervened, and ended up having her arm ripped open. Her puppy had to undergo 2 surgeries and the owner of the dog walked away with a small fine, leaving Amy unable to work and to pay the bills.

We are asking for your help to pay Alethia's and Amy's medical/vet damages, as well as support Alethia for the months while she recovers, and is unable to work.

There is also already legal action being taken on behalf of both Alethia and Amy, which of course will require more money. It is imperative that we raise enough money to help these two women recover their expenses, as well as have what is needed to pursue this legally. This is the only way to send a message to the owners that this violence must end.

Please consider your donation as also a part of a movement to help end these violent attacks, which are not limited to these two cases. All over Sayulita there are owners that do not take responsibility for their aggressive dogs. Our lives are affected by violent dogs daily as we ride a bike or walk through certain parts of town. It is essential we raise the consciousness of owners and authorities alike through seeking to finally hold this person accountable legally. Previously, some of us in the community had gone to the ministerio and the police asking for help, but were turned away for lack of evidence. This time it is likely, with your help, we won't be turned away.

Both women have expressed gratitude for all of the assistance so far and continue to approach these situations with love and grace, despite horrible things that have happened to them. We have a lot to learn from them.

Thank you for your consideration and your donations.

Warmly,

Alethia, Amy, Fred, Carlos, Ava & Concerned Members of the Sayulita Community

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Below are some photos pertaining to this whole process. We will add more photos as we find them, but in the interest of time, we have included what we have easiest access to.

Please be mindful that the images we are about to show you are very graphic. You might want to scroll through quickly if eating or do not have the stomach for it.