Help Bear's Owner Recover from violent PB dog attack

Bridget Gannon is organizing this fundraiser.

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On 11/25/24, I was unloading my groceries with my dog, Bear. I live in an RV in the back of a family member’s property for 2 years. My lot is a fenced-in area, but my parking spot is in her driveway. She has 4 dogs, one of which is a pit bull mix. The other 3 are Australian Shepherds. These dogs are only allowed in her fenced-in backyard, separate from my backyard.

While unloading my groceries, someone opened her front door. I turned to look, and the pit bull came running out and immediately latched onto my left lower leg. One of the other dogs ran out behind him and lunged at my dog. I was screaming for help, but the family member didn’t hear me right away. The pit bull had locked his jaws around my calf and shin. I was dragged approximately 25 feet. I was able to get my dog in my view. He was fighting with the other dog. I gave my dog the command to “get 'em.” He immediately attacked the pit bull while still fighting the other dog. Now all 3 dogs were fighting just a few feet away from me. I could feel the warmth of my blood running down my leg. I was wearing leggings, so I couldn’t see the damage. I tried getting up to get shelter, but I could not walk at all. I was screaming to get me a belt because I was bleeding out fast. Finally, a woman pulled up. She heard my screams a block away. She was able to find me a nylon strap, which I used as a tourniquet. She helped me get into the family member's car for safety. When I lifted my pant leg, I was shocked at how bad it was. Even with the tourniquet, I was bleeding out fast! The ambulance came and transported me to the Ocala Trauma Center one hour away. My blood pressure had dropped significantly low. I thought I was starting to pass out and begged for something for pain. They weren’t able to give me anything until they stabilized me. Eventually, I was able to get pain meds in my IV.

I had 2 separate wounds the size of baseballs. They were both down to the bone. My fibula was completely shattered into pieces. That could not be repaired. I had no skin left on either wound. My nerves and tendons were completely gone along with some muscle. The bites were approximately 1 inch away from a main stern. I had surgery done, but they couldn’t repair the nerves or tendons. There was nothing left there to repair. I spent 5 days in the hospital. As a result, I will never be able to walk without a cane. And I will always be walking slow. I am paralyzed from my mid-shin and calf to the top of my foot and toes. I will always be numb. I will never be able to move my foot up or to the left. It will always droop and curve to the right. I am currently getting physical therapy and nurse home care. I’m being taught how to walk again with the injury and to get some exercises to help with other areas on that leg.

I may have to get skin grafts on one of the wounds, depending on how it heals using artificial skin. The surgery was challenging because there’s no skin to stitch together. They tried a different procedure. My follow-up is on 12/10/24.

MY BENEFICIARY IS STARTING A GOFUNDME BECAUSE:

My family member’s homeowner's insurance doesn’t cover the pit bull attack. They are unaware that the breed exists. This family member has nothing I can sue for. She wants me to leave here, and I am scared to death this dog gets back out. I am suffering emotionally. I cannot work, and I don’t have the money to pay my medical bills and to move. I want to use the money for current medical bills and future medical bills. I will also be fitted for a brace once I am healed from the last surgery. I want to get re-established in a safe place I can afford. I also want to get a lawyer to see if there’s anything that can be done. I never ask for anything. I have to swallow my pride in order to move forward. These are my words, but my daughter will be the beneficiary. All proceeds will be for medical and a safe place to live. Thank you for taking the time to read this. No donation is too small. I cannot upload some photos