Do not give this woman one red cent! -- Fundraiser planned for woman hurt by dog

CALIFORNIA -- Katie Jensen’s birthday fell on a Tuesday this year, so the Simi Valley mother of two decided to celebrate it two days early.

Jensen and her boyfriend, Adrian Nava, invited numerous guests to their home March 15, including a longtime friend. Jensen and Nava are animal lovers and were happy the friend brought her dog, a Mastiff, a large animal known for its size and big head.

“We’ve known the dog since it was a puppy,” Nava said this week.

But when it arrived at the party, it growled and seemed upset. Jensen, 31, tried to placate it and bent down to kiss it, Nava said.

Nava said the dog bit off Jensen’s lower lip, leaving it on the floor. He retrieved the lip, and Jensen was rushed to the hospital. Unfortunately, doctors were unable to reattach it, Nava said.

The pair are now talking to plastic surgeons, hoping they can reconstruct her lower lip. Meanwhile, Jensen has been off work, Nava said.

With the medical bills piling up, Nava’s co-workers at the Platinum Sports Center in Simi Valley will hold a fundraiser Wednesday evening for Jensen.

“None of us were expecting something this bad,” said Dorina Timbol, an owner of the health and fitness center at 160 W. Cochran St.

Sports center members will be asked to donate $10 at the fundraiser, which runs from 6 to 8 p.m. Nonmembers can donate $15.

Organizers also are collecting donations at http://www.gofundme.com/katiesteam and will hold a second fundraiser at 12:30 p.m. April 10 at the Lost Canyons Golf Course in Simi Valley, Timbol said.

Despite her tragic experience, Jensen remains a devoted animal lover, Nava said. That’s one reason why he and Jensen are reluctant to identify the dog or its owner, he said.

“We didn’t want to see the dog put down,” Nava said.

Donna Gillesby, deputy director of Ventura County Animal Services, said her office was notified of the incident.

“So far, we’ve been unable to find the dog or its owner,” Gillesby said, adding they only want to quarantine the animal to make sure it does not have rabies.

This woman has the nerve to ask US for money to fix her face when she won't reveal who owns the dog?! What if it were a child? This dog needs to be euthanized. NOW.

Simi Valley police were also notified. They turned the incident over to animal services because no crime was involved, they said.

Nava said both he and Jensen remain close friends with the owner. “She feels horrible about what happened,” he said.

(VC Star - March 31, 2015)