Help Cover Cujo’s Emergency Vet Bills After a Brutal Dog Attack

I never imagined I would be writing something like this. What started as a normal walk quickly turned into a traumatic emergency and a fight to save my dog’s life.

On March 6th, my dog Cujo was violently attacked by a Pitbull that was loose while my mother was walking him. The dog grabbed Cujo and aggressively thrashed him before my mother was able to pull him free. The attack left Cujo with severe and devastating injuries — the entire left side of his groin and leg were mangled with deep open wounds and a dislocated hip.

From that moment forward, the night became a race against time to save him.

We rushed Cujo first to Sunshine Animal Hospital, where the veterinary team quickly determined his injuries were too severe for their facility to treat. They immediately referred us to the emergency specialists at VEG ER in Clearwater. Once there, doctors confirmed that surgery would be necessary, but unfortunately they did not have a surgeon available on staff.

Desperate to get Cujo the help he needed, we were were referred to EPIC Specialty & Emergency Care in St. Pete, where specialists worked to stabilize him and begin intensive care.

Within a matter of hours we had visited three emergency veterinary hospitals, each step taken to give Cujo the best possible chance to survive.

Emergency veterinary care requires payment upfront, and in the middle of this crisis there was no time to hesitate. I made the decision any pet owner would make — to do everything possible for him. All emergency evaluations, treatments, hospitalization, and specialty care were charged to my credit card immediately in order for Cujo to receive care.

Despite two days of intensive treatment and monitoring by specialists, Cujo’s injuries were simply too severe. Infection rapidly set in and his condition continued to worsen. After everything he endured, the most compassionate and humane decision was to let him go peacefully.

In the span of just a few days, the emergency veterinary bills exceeded $7,000, all placed on my credit card during the crisis.

Unfortunately, Cujo did not have pet insurance. The owner of the attacking dog does not carry renters insurance and has limited financial means, leaving an overwhelming and financial burden resulted from this traumatic attack.

If you are able to donate, any amount will go directly toward helping pay down the veterinary charges incurred while trying to save Cujo’s life. Even small contributions make a meaningful difference.

If donating isn’t possible, sharing this page would also mean a great deal.

Thank you for your kindness, support, and compassion during an incredibly difficult time.