Chief Ronnie Stewart was at his daughter's home on Sunday playing with his two-year-old granddaughter, Abigail Grace when the violent incident occurred.
Stewart told Nashville's News 2 Investigates that his daughter's 50-pound pit bull, Chance, came around the corner growling, snarling and showing his teeth as he was coming towards the young child.
"I could tell things were not right, it was growling like a death growl. I threw my granddaughter on a nearby trampoline and then I felt the teeth go through my hand," he recalled.
Stewart continued, "The dog drug me on the ground and it ate my arm up, tearing, snapping bones and stuff. I got him in a choke hold and choked him out."
The police chief said his 15-year-old daughter immediately called 911.
According to the family, Benton County deputies were forced to shoot the animal after he threatened them upon their arrival to the scene.
The Stewart family said they are at a loss at why Chance suddenly became vicious.
"We have been there many, many times and [the dog] never bothered us," Ronnie's wife, Lisa Stewart said from her husband's hospital room.
She continued, "Something snapped. He had Abby in his sights and he headed right for her. Ronnie threw her so hard up on the trampoline; it threw one of her shoes off."
Following the incident, Chief Stewart was airlifted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center where he underwent three surgeries in four days.
He is still recovering from a broken bone in his hand and muscle and tissue damage in his arm and shoulder.
Lisa Stewart told Nashville's News 2 Investigates she considers her husband a hero.
"I think he is a hero. Had he not done what he done we would not have our Abby. She's having a hard time [with] what she saw. She had to come up [to the hospital] to see him, and she came through the door, and she yelled, ‘Pappy, Pappy, Pappy.' They kissed and it was special moment. If he didn't do what he done, we wouldn't have had that moment," she said with tears in her eyes.
Chief Stewart added, "I feel wonderful that she didn't have injuries and kept her out of the way of the dog."
The family said Chance tested negative for rabies.
A benefit is scheduled to be held on Friday, April 6 for the police chief from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Bruceton Fire Department building located behind the Bruceton City Hall.
Money raised from the bake sale and silent auction will benefit the family.
Donations can also be made to the Ronnie Stewart Benefit Fund at First Bank.
(WKRAN - March 29, 2012)
