August 7, 2020, I was attacked by a german shepherd. This attack happened at my grooming salon but the dog was not in my possession and no services were being performed. The owner of the dog repeatedly said the dog was not aggressive and that he would not bite. Sadly, this was absolutely not the case when minutes later the dog attacked me. I did not reach for him or make any movements towards him, he just suddenly he lunged into my face and attacked. He ripped almost half of my top lip off, with lacerations almost to my nose, a puncture wound and broken teeth. My husband was able to fight the dog off me and hold him until the owner could get him outside.

A report was made to Davidson County Animal Control and to the local health department while I was at Thomasville Medical Center.  I was transferred from Thomasville Medical Center to Wake Forest Baptist Hospital because Thomasville did not have a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon available. The dog was allowed to home quarantine for the required 10 days, even though the dog was not up to date on his vaccines (3 months overdue for Rabies). Several calls were made by myself to both agencies to begin proceedings to have the dog declared dangerous. In the end I was told it was the decision of Davidson County Animal Control.

August 17, 2020, I had photos printed of my injuries (25 total) and went to the Davidson County Sheriff Department to speak with an animal control officer in person. At first, I was told that they would have one call me. I told them I would wait because I wanted to speak with them in person. Then I was told that since the attack happened inside city limits that I would have to go to Thomasville City Animal Control. So I did. When the animal control officer at Thomasville arrived to speak with me, I was told that Thomasville did not adopt the dangerous dog ordinance and that the dog lived outside city limits, that I would have to go back to Davidson County Animal Control. So I did. Again Davidson County Sheriff Department told me that their animal control officer was not available and they would have him call me. That time I was exhausted and left and went home. Lt. Howell called me back some time later that day. He told me to write a statement of the events and to include the photos. So I wrote a detailed statement, included all necessary contact information, and 25 very graphic photos of my injuries. 

I called back a couple of days later and was told by Lt. Howell that he had just gotten the dog owners statement and that he would let me know when he reached his decision.  As of today, September  7, 2020, I still have not heard any more from him.

I have had one surgery to my face at this time and am still under care of Baptist Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, I am in therapy for PTSD from the attack, I am being sent to Occupational therapy to learn to eat again (I am unable to chew food with the way my lips are pulled under my teeth) and to address difficulty with my speech. The broken teeth have not been addressed at this time because the facial wounds are still healing. 

According to the NC General Statutes and the Davidson County Animal Ordinances a dog can be declared Dangerous is the attack causes severe injury that results in broken bones or lacerations that require plastic surgery or if the dog attacks unprovoked. Both of these requirements were met during this attack. 

This dog needs to be declared Dangerous so that the dog owner will be required to muzzle him when not on his property and keep him on a leash at all times. The declaration also has safety requirements for outdoor enclosures to prevent the dog from escaping. 

My biggest fear is that this dog will attack again and the next person may not just be scarred for life, but that they may lose their life.