Leo and I are recovering from a horrific dog attack in beautiful Garfield Park and need your help with the veterinary bills that have quickly gotten out of hand.

I was walking Leo through our favorite park a few days ago when an uncontrolled and completely unprovoked dog sprang out from behind a bench and launched itself to attack Leo on sight. This is a well-known dog whose owner has let her dog attack and kill others in my community, so I was forced to wrestle this dog to the ground and off Leo knowing he could die in this attack. I sustained serious injuries to my legs and hands that required immediate medical attention, but I am doing better with my recovery than Leo is with his.

Leo sustained several life-threatening injuries to his shoulder and neck during this attack. As you can see from the photos, Leo has several large gashes in his shoulder that have become seriously infected even with immediate and comprehensive (and expensive as hell) veterinary treatment. Leo has been in and out of emergency vets' offices the last several days for a series of cleanings, medications and drainings from the wound. Unfortunately, Leo’s wounds are not responding well to antibiotics, so there will be more vet visits and medications needed in the days to come as he battles this infection.

The woman whose dog tried to kill Leo is someone I know all too well in my community with a history of mental illness and substance abuse. I am working with community leaders to create some much-needed accountability and justice for Leo to ensure that while he is not the first victim this dog has attacked, Leo needs to be the last.

I am sharing this context with you to explain why I am asking you for help defraying these substantial (and still growing) medical costs, rather than this attack dog's owner.

If you have ever met Leo, you know that he is the most relentlessly cheerful and friendly dog. Somehow, he was right back to his normal loving self just seconds after the attack. It has been heartbreaking to watch his behavior change so much in the days since due to his FIVE (!!!) life-saving medications and the cone. The vets are hopeful Leo will make a full recovery, but it will be an expensive journey, so I appreciate anything you can do to help us get Leo back to his normal self again.