My name is Toni Hudson, and I live in Oak Cliff on Marfa Avenue. On January 7th, I was walking down my street, something I do every day, when I was viciously attacked by a pitbull with an owner. This dog has attacked multiple people in the past, and on that day, it was not chained and was already chasing a boy down the street. Suddenly, the pitbull grabbed my calf muscle and bit down hard. When I hit the ground, it locked onto my face, and I was terrified. The dog tried to latch onto my neck, but I put my hands up to protect myself, and it snapped my finger in half. The owner struggled to get the dog off me and had no control over his animal.

The physical pain was overwhelming, but what hurt even more was how I was treated afterward. The EMTs who arrived made a mockery of me in the ambulance, laughing and treating me poorly. They kept asking questions and getting my age wrong, making me feel even lower during one of the worst moments of my life. It’s hard to talk about, but I want people to know what happened and how much it has affected me.

Because of this attack, I am facing serious medical bills, lawyer expenses, and everyday costs. I can’t work right now due to my injuries, and I am struggling to get by. I am asking for help and support from my community to get through this difficult time and recover from my injuries. Any contribution will make a difference and help me move forward.