8-Year Old May Lose Arm After Trying to Save Dog from Pit Bull Attack
From left: Faith at T.C. Thompson Children's Hospital and now back at home.Faith Returns HomeUPDATE 07/07/09: Faith's mother, Heather Keehn, said the bone in her shoulder will "not stay in it's socket" and her "growth bone is broken" which means her arm might not grow anymore. (This likely refers to a "
growth plate" injury). As other mothers have told us, Keehn added, "I thought it would be a lot easier when she got home but actually it's kind of harder." Faith has so far undergone seven surgeries. We pray that future surgeries will fully heal her injured arm.
Related ZUPF video06/18/09: Young Girl Suffers "Redirected" AttackLookout Mountain, GA - An 8-year old girl continues to fight for her life and may suffer an arm amputation after being attacked by a pit bull. So far, 8-year old Faith Guelde has endured 40 hours of surgery and more is expected. On Friday, June 12, Faith's dog escaped her property. When she found her dog, it was fighting with a pit bull in her neighbor's yard. When Faith tried to pick up her dog, the pit bull launched a violent "redirected" attack onto the young girl.
In 2007, Mary Bernal picked up her dachshund to stop a scuffle with her sister's pit bull. The pit bull attacked Mary, ripping off her entire scalp killing her.
Faith sustained critical injuries and had to be flown by LifeForce helicopter to T.C. Thompson Children's Hospital in Chattanooga. Her grandmother, Jodi Copus, says she's conscious but "very, very critical." She says right now they're just hoping to save her right arm and then plan for a long recovery. A fund has been set up to help pay Faith's costly medical bills. Donations can be made at any SunTrust Bank in the Tennessee Valley under the "Faith Guelde Benefit Fund."
It was also reported that there is no leash law in Lookout Mountain, GA. Just across state lines and only two miles away, Lookout Mountain, TN, has a strict,
breed-specific ordinance. Pit bull owners in this neighboring town are required to register their animals as "vicious," carry a $500,000 liability insurance policy, and adhere to special confinement rules. Each of these requirements would have gone a long way in preventing this attack upon Faith Guelde.
Related ZUPF video
Faith Guelde Benefit FundTo make a donation, please visit any SunTrust Bank in the Tennessee Valley and donate under the name, "Faith Guelde Benefit Fund."
Related articles:03/06/09:
Dog Aggression Equals Human Injury, Bullets and Dead Family Dogs02/19/09:
Elkhart Pit Bull Owner May Suffer Amputation After "Redirected" Attack07/29/08:
10-Year Old's Arm Amputated After Family Pit Bull Attack07/14/08:
Comment: The Anatomy of a Whitewash, James Crosby06/14/08:
2007 Fatality: Mary Diana Bernal Killed by In-Law's Pit Bull
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