Family in Crisis After Dog Attack

I am reaching out to you with a heavy heart, burdened by the trauma my family and I have endured after a series of violent attacks by two pitbulls in our neighborhood. On Saturday, March 8th, 2025, at around noon, I was attacked on my own property in my backyard—an experience I will never forget and one that has left both me and my dog with life-altering injuries. Sadly, this was not the first time we’ve faced this terror, and I find myself asking why our community is still living in fear while local authorities remain unresponsive.

Saturday afternoon two large black pitbulls, over 70 pounds each, viciously attacked my dog through the gate. I immediately called the police, but it took over 30 minutes for them to arrive, leaving my sister and I desperately trying to separate the dogs while maintaining a safe distance. As I grabbed a shovel in an attempt to protect my dog, the pitbull with a white patch on its neck leapt four feet into the air and sank its teeth into my arm, pinning me against the gate of my property.

The dog refused to let go. It took my sister’s strength to pry the dog off me, and by the time I fell to the ground, my dog had been dragged under our fence and into the middle of the street, where the pitbulls continued to attack her. Both my dog and I sustained severe injuries that required emergency medical attention. The trauma of that day has left deep emotional scars that I can’t begin to explain.

This attack was the fourth time these dogs have targeted me and my family, and have terrorized other families in our neighborhood as well. We have reported the incidents to the authorities, and met with the 16th ward Alderman Stephanie D. Coleman but despite citations being issued to the dog owners, no real action has been taken. The fear and pain that these attacks have caused my family are indescribable. The physical injuries, the emotional distress, the sense of helplessness—it’s been overwhelming. And now, my family faces mounting medical bills while I am unable to work due to the injuries I sustained. Any help is greatly appreciated!

images below are very graphic!!!!!

Woman dog injured after being attacked by pitbulls