Dog attack: Physical trauma with associated brain injury

Abstract

Anna was a spunky and energetic young girl who enjoyed being mommy 's little helper. She had been to her mother 's friend 's house many times and was familiar with her dogs. When the women stepped outside during one visit, 8-year-old Anna thought the two dogs might like to play together, so she took down the gate that separated them from each other. She remembers reaching for the rope toy, thinking she would play with them. She remembers the sounds as first the male full-grown dog attacked her and then the adult female joined in, biting her severely, mauling her head and neck. She remembers being dragged across the room and calling out for help. Her mother returned to the house only a few moments later. She immediately noticed the gate, and her gaze turned to the front room and the sight of her only child lying on the floor horribly injured. Running immediately to her, she noticed Anna 's breathing was shallow. Anna could not talk and did not appear fully conscious. While her friend called 911, Anna 's mother never left her side. An ambulance arrived quickly to transport Anna to the emergency department. © 2010 Springer-Verlag New York.