Rhonda Carpenter said she was attacked as she took her German shepherd for a walk Tuesday morning.
The dog blamed for the attack is now at Pinellas County Animal Services.
"I got a couple big bites and puncture wounds," Carpenter said as she pointed out bite marks on her leg.
Carpenter said the dog attacked her, taking big bites and causing puncture wounds, as she and her dog, Rex , were walking.
"[I] continued forward, and I turned around, and the dog started -- was charging us," Carpenter recounted.
She said the dog bit and pulled at her leg several times before Rex came to her defense.
"He totally reared up, barking, chewing, biting," Carpenter said. "I don’t know that he ever hurt the dog, but [Rex] protected me."
Two neighbors who saw the attack came running down the street and pulled the dog off Carpenter.
Carpenter was taken by ambulance to a local hospital, where she received eight stitches.
The dog has since been quarantined. The dog has a microchip implant, but Pinellas County Animal Services have been unable to get in touch with the owner.
Carpenter said the dog had a collar and neck-tie when she was attacked, but there was no owner in sight.
"If you’re going to have them, be responsible. Take care of them," she said.
Carpenter saved Rex from a shelter two years. She said Rex returned the favor.
(Bay News 9 - February 22, 2012)
