A pregnant woman was forced to undergo labor induction after a brutal attack by two dogs left her with severe injuries as she tried to shield her small chihuahua.
First responders were called to the 4000 block of Puget Sound Avenue in Tacoma around 11:05 a.m. last Thursday following reports of two dogs running loose. When crews arrived, they found Renee Wilson hurt from the mauling.
Wilson was initially transported to a nearby hospital in stable condition before being moved to Tacoma General Hospital, where she is still recovering from her wounds and an infection, according to K5.
Wilson said she was bringing her baby’s car seat out to her vehicle when she heard dogs barking and spotted two dogs rushing toward her chihuahua, Katie.
“They ran up, and they tried to attack my chihuahua, so I jumped in front of her to stop them from attacking her,” Wilson told K5.
The confrontation quickly escalated into a terrifying attack.
“It kept latching back on to places after it would bite me, so it bit my arm, then jumped back up and attacked my belly,” she said.
Wilson also said one of the dogs pulled her down by her hair as the attack continued.
“The dogs had been attacking me for at least a minute or two, while I was screaming for help,” she said.
Neighbors rushed to help after hearing her screams, including a man armed with a broom and a woman who stepped in despite being frightened of the dogs.
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“I begged her for help. That’s when the dog had my belly in his mouth, and I was telling her I was pregnant. Please help. Don’t let him kill my baby,” Wilson said.
Doctors induced labor following the attack, and her son, Armani, was born unharmed.
Wilson spent the weekend with her newborn but remains hospitalized until she can walk again and is free of infection.
“Well, he’s only 4 days old, so I’m kind of lonely. I miss him,” she said. “I wish I was able to be with him. I wish he was able to be here.”
Police said the two dogs, an American pit bull terrier and an American bully, escaped through a broken fence board that their owners knew about.
The animals were secured at the scene and impounded by Tacoma Animal Control, where they are being held during a standard 10-day quarantine.
Animal control officers have since declared both dogs “dangerous” animals.
Their owners have 10 days to appeal the decision before a judge. If they do not successfully challenge the ruling, the dogs could be euthanized.
Police said the owners cooperated with officers at the scene. They’re also facing misdemeanor charges for failing to license the dogs and allowing them to run at large, totaling $2,000 in fines.
Wilson said she plans to file a civil lawsuit against the dogs’ owners.
An online fundraiser for Wilson noted she had been due to deliver her baby on the day of the attack before doctors induced labor.
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