Delaware: Ruckle family thanks first responders on anniversary of pit bull attack

DELAWARE -- Sunday marked the one-year anniversary of the day Emily Ruckle was critically injured by a pit bull inside her home and although the 9-year-old was all smiles, her father, Councilman Todd Ruckle, was having a tough time getting through the day.
 
“Every time I look at my watch, I remember what I was doing at that exact minute on that day a year ago,” he said.

On Sunday, the Ruckle family held a party at the Aetna Fire Hall to thank those who supported Emily over the last year, including officers from the Newark Police Department, New Castle County paramedics Cpl. Paul G. Bazzoli and Cpl. Brian J. Warrick, Aetna firefighters Zack Lemon, David Carey and Brian Corbett, Aetna EMTs Matt Paul and Kelsey Patnaube and doctors from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

 

Emily was home alone with her half-sister, Megan, 15, on Sept. 27, 2014, when she was mauled by a pit bull owned by Maria Ruckle’s ex-husband. Megan fought off the dog, called 911 and used first aid training she received as part of the Civil Air Patrol to help her sister.

Newark Police officers Cpl. Andrew Pagnotti, Ofc. Dan Burgess and Master Cpl. Truman Boulden were the first to arrive at the home in the Stafford neighborhood and shot and killed the dog. Emily was rushed to A.I. DuPont Hospital for Children and from there, was flown to CHOP.

Emily Ruckle, 9, thanks doctors and first responders during a
party at the Aetna Fire Hall on Sunday, one year after she
suffered a dog attack at her home.
NEWARK POST PHOTO BY KARIE SIMMONS

The incident spurred an outpouring of community support. Emily received cards from local elementary school students wishing her a speedy recovery, and members of Maria’s Padua Academy graduating class also reached out.

Former councilman Jerry Clifton, who is a family friend of the Ruckles, helped organize a comedy show fundraiser for Emily. The event drew about 700 people and raised $30,000 from ticket sales, “For Emily” bracelets and donations. The money went to the Ruckle family to help pay for some of the medical bills.

Emily Ruckle, 9, hugs one of her doctors from Children's Hospital of
Philadelphia during a party at the Aetna Fire Hall on Sunday, one year
after she suffered a dog attack at her home.
NEWARK POST PHOTO BY KARIE SIMMONS

Since the attack, Emily has received approximately 11 surgeries on her shoulder and arm and may undergo more in the future depending on her growth. She attends physical therapy several times a week and is still working to regain mobility.

At Sunday's party, Emily's father described the incident as “the worst possible thing that happened to the Ruckle family.”

“I'm just amazed this little girl is alive,” he said, looking down at Emily. “She's our miracle, and it's all due to the people in this room.”

Lemon, an Aetna ladder captain, was among the first people to arrive at the Ruckles' home the day of the attack.

He said he was coming back from a car accident when he got the call for an ongoing animal attack in the Stafford neighborhood — just a few blocks away from where he lives.

“When I heard the address, I already knew where we were going,” he said.

Lemon said the immediate actions to save Emily were “a really big team effort” between NPD, Aetna and the paramedics who responded, and he is relieved to see her happy and recovering.

“We rarely get to see somebody that we helped after the incident, but I saw her over the summer at National Night Out and she was doing cartwheels on the concrete in front of the firehouse,” he said. “I couldn't believe it."

As Emily danced and laughed with friends during the party on Sunday, it was hard to tell the 9-year-old had endured such an ordeal just one year earlier. Still, between toothy smiles, she made sure to thank everyone who helped her.

Emily Ruckle, 9, poses with friends during party at the Aetna Fire
Hall on Sunday. The event marked the one-year anniversary of the day
she suffered a dog attack inside her home.
NEWARK POST PHOTO BY KARIE SIMMONS

“I'm just happy I survived,” she said, adding that it's been a long, long year. “It's been a little bit hard, but I've been getting through it so far.”

(Newark Post Online - Sept 29, 2015)

Earlier:

• Newark councilman's daughter, 8, critically injured in pit bull attack
• Daughter, 8, of Newark politician critically injured after pit bull attack in her home
• Am I in heaven?' girl attacked by pit bull asks
• Surgeons Reattach Girl's Arm After Pit Bull Attack