Doctors say 62-year-old Sharma is out of her medically induced coma. She was attacked back in September when she was finishing up her daily walk in North Merrick. Two 90-pound pit bulls, one brown, one grey, charged her.
Sharma was able to make a frantic 911 call during the attack. Responding police shot one of the dogs dead, but the other managed to escape. The surviving dog may also have been shot.
The dogs savaged Sharma’s face and head and tore at her arms and legs. When she was first hospitalized, doctors were extremely concerned she might lose her left arm. That’s why she was put into a medically induced coma.
Her doctor Louis Riina said she vividly remembers the attack.
“She saw the animals in front of her, she turned and started to walk in the opposite direction and then they next thing she knew, one animal had each of her arms,” he said.
He said Sharma’s injuries are the worst from an animal attack he’s ever seen.
“Her left arm is severely damaged and that she’s going to require a lot of physical therapy and surgery in the long run,” her son Suraj Sharma told CBS 2′s Sean Hennessey.
Police have since searched for the surviving dog using helicopters and patrol cars.
“It was a prolonged and sustained attack. These dogs are dangerous,” said Det. Lt. Kevin Smith.
Police urge residents to call 911 if they see the animal.
(CBS Local - Oct 7, 2011)
Earlier:
Police Continue Search For Pit Bull In North Merrick Attack; Surveillance Photo Released
One Pit Bull Shot, Another On The Loose After Mauling L.I. Woman
