Help Musician Katy, Survivor of a Pitbull Attack

Hi. My name is Rob Salvidge and I’m fundraising for my sister, Katy, who was attacked by a Pitbull dog over two years ago on 29th December 2021.

She was volunteering over Christmas at a multi million euro rescue centre for galgos and podencos (Spanish hunting dogs) in Murcia, Spain.

Their insurance policy didn’t cover volunteers handling a Pitbull dog and over two years on, the charity has not helped with her medical bills nor compensated her for the devastating impact on her life.

So many people have asked what they can do to help Katy. She needs help covering huge ongoing medical bills, associated costs and future surgery.

The Attack

The attack was frenzied and violent leaving her with life changing injuries, multiple deep bite wounds to her left arm, right buttock, chest and a broken arm.

Severe tendon damage has left her with limited mobility from her shoulder down to her fingers.

An employee who saw the CCTV footage described how Katy was thrown around like a rag doll. Katy remembers being dragged to the ground by the Pitbull as his jaws clamped onto her arm. She thought he was going to kill her.

The vet on site heard her screaming but was unable to help her.

When the Pitbull finally stopped and Katy was on the ground, she was scared that if she moved, he would start attacking her again. She recalls in graphic detail how she got up slowly and managed to lead him back to his kennel, shutting the gate, probably saving others from injury. She was unaware at the time of the extent of her injuries.

She was lucky to be alive.

Katy was hospitalised for two weeks, hooked up to 24 hour intravenous antibiotics, fluids and strong painkillers and had constant medical attention.

Her partner, Graham, travelled immediately to be at her bedside from their home 750km away in Portugal. His greatest fear was that she would lose the use of her left arm which was potentially devastating as a professional pianist, violinist and harpist.

Katy needed two different medical teams to deal with her many injuries. The risk of infection was so high that they had to wait a week before operating on her arm.

When Katy was discharged from hospital my other sister, Liz, and I flew out from the U.K. to help care for her. She was very fragile and deeply traumatised and was on heavy painkillers.

She and Graham had to stay close by to the hospital, far away from their home, family and friends, for another six weeks for regular dressing changes and monitoring before finally being able to make the long journey home for a second operation and to begin intense rehabilitation.

WARNING: graphic photos that you may find distressing

Rehabilitation

The injuries to her arm were so severe that despite two surgeries and more than 120 physiotherapy sessions she continues to have pain and limited mobility.

Two years on she still travels 200km weekly for treatment with a specialist hand therapist and receives therapy for Post Traumatic Stress as a result of the attack.

She has paid for all of this using her life savings but she can't afford any more.

She desperately needs a further operation and continued rehabilitation to endeavour to gain more movement if she is to play violin and piano professionally again.

Protecting the dog shelter

She has been very patient and protected the reputation of the dog shelter through her silence as she was assured that she would be taken care of and compensated.

Katy was encouraged by the Director of the charity to keep details of the attack quiet, particularly that the dog that mauled her was a Pitbull. As a loyal supporter and dedicated volunteer of the charity, she wanted to protect them.

Sadly, they didn’t warn her or other volunteers of the dangers he posed as she later learned he had attacked before. Once she left for her rehabilitation in Portugal the shelter stopped all contact leaving her feeling isolated and unsupported.

Her life as a musician

Katy has been a professional musician, composer and orchestrator for over 30 years and spent many years working in Los Angeles.

During that time she performed on many award winning film and television soundtracks including as soloist on the Academy Award nominated score for Good Will Hunting. She’s worked on the music for TV series including The Simpsons, King of the Hill and Family Guy and worked with artists such as Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, and Warren Zevon.

More recently Katy has brought joy to many people, helping communities find their voice through the choirs she organises, bringing music into hospitals and nursing homes.

Her left hand is EVERYTHING to her in her life as a professional, performing musician. To play the violin, piano and harp to the high standard for which she is known and respected requires extreme dexterity and may only be possible with full recovery.

Those of you who know Katy will know that music is her entire life, her passion and her career. My “little” sister is normally an outgoing person but she has been struggling with the enormity of what happened to her and it has taken a heavy toll on her mental health.

Both her physical and emotional rehabilitation are ongoing with the support of her medical team in Portugal, her partner Graham, her family and so many wonderful friends.

Katy’s story needs to be heard to help her heal.

How You Can Help Katy:

The more people we reach, the bigger impact we can make.