In the 3-year period from 2006 to 2008, pit bull type dogs killed 52 Americans and accounted for 59% of all fatal attacks. Combined, pit bulls and rottweilers accounted for 73% of these deaths. | More »
DaMonica Paul, Elkhart Pit Bull Attack Victim, Needs Your Help
Years of Recovery Elkhart, IN - In late July, we published a story about the City of Elkhart discussing a pit bull law. That discussion followed a series of pit bull attacks. Two of these victims included Scott Sands, who nearly lost an arm by his own pit bull, and 4-year old DaMonica Paul, whose entire nose was bitten off after a neighbor's pit bull latched onto her face. DaMonica's mother, Melissa Paul, recently said that her daughter will never breath out of her nose again.
The damage was so extensive to DaMonica's nose that her vital nose functions (to smell and to breath) have been permanently removed.
We ask that readers take a moment to consider the severity of her injuries and the lifelong consequences of them. What do these injuries mean when she turns the age of 18? It means that for 14 years she has been unable to smell or to breath out of her nose and only has the cosmetic "reconstruction" of a nose. When she turns the ages of 30, 40, 50, and 60, what will her injuries mean then? Pit bull injury too often falls into the category of lifelong injury.
Currently, DaMonica has undergone 4 facial surgeries. The first of several reconstructive surgeries starts next month in the City of Indianapolis. Doctors expect she will be in and out of surgery for another three years. Pastor Kevin Adams, a family friend, told WSBT reporters, "The family is going through a very traumatic financial strain. Mr. Paul himself has been laid off. This is going to be a long, long, long road. There are going to be many surgeries."
We urge readers to make a donation to the DaMonica Paul Relief Fund. We urge Elkhart residents to participate in the upcoming discussions about the city's adoption of a pit bull law.
DaMonica Paul Relief Fund Donations can be made to the "DaMonica Paul Relief Fund" at any 1st Source Bank or sent via mail: 1st Source Bank / P.O. Box 1602 / South Bend, IN 46634
The next discussions about the City of Elkhart adopting a pit bull law will be held Thursday, September 3rd at 6:30 p.m. and Tuesday, September 8th at 6:30 p.m.
by Anonymous8/31/2009 5:29 PM | Flag as abusive Can we all post DBO facts and comments on the Fox28 comment section - there are none as of yet...we need to band together and post before the nutters do.
http://www.fox28.com/Global/story.asp?S=11019158
by FoolMeOnce9/01/2009 8:15 AM | Flag as abusive Such a tragedy for this innocent child. I wish that the video news piece was more informative as to the extent of her injuries and how this happened. As I recall, all the children present said it was "Sierra", yet the owner's refused to admit that and blamed it on the neighbor's dog, claiming that it climbed the fence, bit her, and went back over. I guess this news station is worried about being PC.
by Anonymous9/02/2009 1:51 PM | Flag as abusive my family has also been a victim to a pitt bull attack on our horse last feburary,she was killed by the neighbors 2 pit bulls, one dog was destroyed the other nothing the owners got off scott free. something has to be done about these animals and their owners.seems to me until an official is either attacked or someone close to them nothing is going to be done. it is a horrific thing that has happened to this child,and it happens to often and the owner just walks away.the law need to be gone over and some changes made to have them enforced.I live in laporte county and there has to be a paper trail on the animal and owner before they will do anything. paper trail meaning that the dogs has to be reported to the animal control so many times before they take action. this little child is thought of less than the dog that attacked her by the people that are supposed to be protecting all of us.pretty sad that our officals are so busy that they can't see a problem when it's in the papers and on the news pretty much on a regular basis.
by Trigger9/05/2009 7:25 PM | Flag as abusive The Meeting (note the postal worker is still experiencing great anxiety two years after the attack):
"After hearing about the new city ordinance that would ban pit bulls, Lori Egert, a vicitim of a pit bull attack, decided she would tell the council her story. "He could have torn off my nose, or what if he didn't get my nose and he got my eye or my throat?"
Egert is a U.S. Mail carrier and was attacked by a pit bull two years ago in front of a house in Elkhart while on her mail delivery route. When describing the moment of the attack, Egert said "I think I was in shock; I didn't feel pain." But the attack did more than just cause nerve damage to Egert's nose.
"Emotionally it's been a nightmare. I would see a puppy I would see it and I would be very emotional and very stressed. I didn't have anxiety before I was attacked, but I have anxiety now," said Egert." -- http://www.fox28.com/Global/story.asp?S=11044779
by Trigger10/27/2009 12:19 PM | Flag as abusive LAST MEETING: OCTOBER 27, 2009
An Ad-Hoc committee will continue their evaluation of a proposed pit bull ban in the City of Elkhart. The committee will meet for the fourth, and likely final time, before making a recommendation to the Public Health and Safety Committee of the City Council. That recommendation is supposed to be made by November 1st so that the Council can vote on the issue, possibly as early as mid-November. --- http://www.fox28.com/Global/story.asp?S=11389526
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