He was attacked by homeless's dog, paralyzed.

My name is Airi Ikeda. My dog named Tanukichi, Pomeranian 6 years old boy, was attacked by homeless’s dog and suffered from surgery but he became paralyzed. He can’t walk without a wheelchair. We need your help.

I was waiting for the red light with Tanukichi on Friday night 12/10/2021 at DTLA Little Tokyo. The guy was riding a bicycle with a mixed pitbull heading slowly across the signal even though still red lights were on and the car was across the road. When the dog realized Tanukichi, the dog runs toward him suddenly. The guy couldn't control the bicycle and released the leash from his hand. I was going to hold and pick Tanukichi up but he was already bitten. I tried to help Tanukichi and open the dog's mouth and the dog bite my hand as well. A friend of mine was close so I called him to help and he took a picture of the guy and the dog. I didn’t call 911 because the number one priority was Tanukichi’s life, so I went straight to an animal emergency hospital.

He was diagnosed that a damaged nerve, lower body paralyzed, fracture backbone, really serious condition even his life was in danger. The veterinarian suggested two options that surgery for the backbone but can't get back the nerve system which he can't walk anymore without a wheelchair, or let him sleep. He is my only son. I decided to get him surgery. He succeeds a surgery on Sunday 12/12/2021 and his life is stable now, but still hospitalized to recovery his kidney can work well.

Two days after surgery, he is comfortable on his injectable pain medications and all of his wounds are closed. However, due to the inflammation and blood loss associated with his wounds and several surgeries, he needs a blood transfusion.

Three days after surgery, he starts eating on his own. I was really glad and so proud of him.

Five days after surgery, he could very comfortable and moving around well on his forelimbs. His bladder is easily expressible and he does not need the medication that helps with bladder expression. He is mildly incontinent, especially when being moved, but still requires bladder expression as he is not able to void his bladder.

This hospital is really kind that since I can't understand 100% of English especially medical terminology is way harder to understand, they have reported the progress to me by email.

I just received the email that he could discharge tomorrow (12/18/2021) but they suggest to go rehabilitation center as much as possible.

The cost of hospitalization and surgery was $29,717.76 by yesterday 12/17/2021.

I will take him to a rehabilitation center to build strength in his forelimbs when he gets back from the hospital. However, there are some popular rehabilitation centers around LA but those are fully booked until January or February. I will keep searching for a rehabilitation center where they could take care of him.

He will need some follow-up visits to the hospital as well. Also, he could defecation but he needs extra help for urination several times a day.

Additional information;

My right point finger can't bend from the bite. I got a panic attack for the first time, mentally broken. I couldn't breathe and stop crying. I am traumatized.

After I heard his surgery was successful, my anger rises toward the guy and the dog. I spread his photo on social media. Then I got the guy's information that he is homeless. I did the police report and report it to animal control. However, since he is homeless, it is hard to find and capture the dog.

I don't know where to vent my anger, sadness, regret, and helplessness that couldn't protect my son. He likes playing to throw and go get a toy with shaking his tail a lot, he sits flat when he relaxed, he shows turn and hip attack when he likes the dog, he wiped his 4 legs by himself at entrance mat (that behavior is the cutest), everything that he can't do anymore and I can't see anymore.

Please listen, someone who loves dogs might happen to your dog as well. Someone who can't control their dog, shouldn't have a dog. Nobody knows what happens. When walking with your dog and seeing the aggressive dog, please hold your friend up even if it looks bad to the opponent. I don't want anyone to have the same experience. Always predict in danger before it's too late. Our fluffy friend is a member of the family, but why we can't use an ambulance when the dog is suffering even life in danger? In my case, my friend was close, so he helped me and drove to the animal hospital but if I was alone, how could I drive with bloody injury hand and upset?

Thank you for reading, and I am sorry if you didn't understand my grammar. English is my second language. I would really appreciate it if you help us. He will need more time to heal and recover.

Thank you again. I pray for and believe in miracles.