Florida: Mom attacked by pit bull while shielding daughter

FLORIDA -- A woman is recovering after investigators with the Orange County Sheriff's Office said she was attacked by a neighbor's pit bull mix dog.

Lala Hamilton tells FOX 35 she heard her sister screaming, then noticed that her sister and her niece were covered in blood, as a dog was chomping and pulling at her sister's arm.  This happened Friday afternoon on Skan Lane.

"We were walking right there, and we saw and heard my sister yelling and yelling, and the baby was full of blood, so I ran down there," said Hamilton, "and the dog chewed her arm right here, and I tried to grab a brick to hit it."

Hamilton said the dog's owner was able to get the dog off of her sister, while emergency crews were on the way.

 

Hamilton said her sister and niece were walking to a neighbor's house, so the 4-year-old girl could get some candy.  She said the neighbor's dog somehow got through a barred door, and as the dog was lunging to attack, the child, Hamilton's sister threw herself in front of the little girl to protect her.

Orange County Animal Control made several attempts to get a snare around the dog's neck.  The animal kept hissing and snarling and showing its teeth.

 

The dog's owner pulled up her minivan and opened the door and was somehow able to get the dog inside.  She agreed to have the Animal Control officer follow her to the pound, where she surrendered the dog.

Hamilton said her sister underwent emergency surgery, but due to the damage to her sister's arm, it's still unclear whether she will have use or any feeling in her hand.

(Fox 35 Orlando - April 8, 2016)