VIRGINIA -- A Hampton woman's scalp was partially ripped off five months ago. The dogs' owner could face up to 20 years in prison.
An attack by two dogs that ripped part of a woman's scalp from her head could send the dogs' owner to prison for up to 20 years.
Tammy Sajdak, 34, of Hampton was convicted Wednesday of one count of malicious wounding in the May 21 mauling of her friend, Tracie Wesson.
Sajdak was originally charged with aggravated malicious wounding, which nets a life prison term if convicted, but she pleaded guilty to the lesser charge.
Sajdak will be sentenced on Jan. 8.
Evidence presented by prosecutors was that Wesson and Sajdak were hanging out at a friend's house at 2408 West Weaver Road when they got into an argument.
When things cooled down, Sajdak's husband persuaded her to leave, which she did, said Hampton Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney Matt Hoffman. But a short time later, Sajdak returned with her dogs -- a pit bull and a German shepherd -- and another woman, he said.
The women jumped out of their vehicle with the dogs and rushed toward Wesson, who was standing on the porch with the man who lived in the house, Hoffman said. The women began hitting Wesson, and the dogs started biting her, he said.
The dogs continued biting Wesson, 39, while she was curled into a fetal position on the ground, Hoffman said. She suffered bites to her legs, arms, shoulder and head, and the back of her scalp was ripped off.
Hoffman said the man living at the house saw Sajdak and the other woman directing the dogs toward Wesson's head during the attack. The man also saw neither of the women doing anything to stop the dogs, he said.
Wesson spent a week in the hospital waiting for her scalp to reattach itself.
"I'm glad this day happened," Wesson said, standing outside the courthouse after the hearing. "I'm glad because she pleaded guilty, and the judge found her guilty."
Although the women had known each other for about two years, Wesson said they'd never really hit it off. She said she doesn't understand why Sajdak let her dogs attack her.
"I'm doing good," said Wesson, who wears a hat to cover her injuries. "I've got more surgeries and two more skin grafts, and I have to have my tissues expanded to get my hair to grow. It's going to be a four-year process, but I'm handling this the best I can."
Court records show that Sajdak will be in Hampton General District Court on Nov. 15 for a hearing to determine if her dogs are dangerous and should be destroyed.
(Daily Press - October 19, 2006)
