Posted on 08/27/2009 2:22:10 PM PDT by Chet 99
After pit bull attack, Elkhart 4-year-old faces long road to recovery
Originally printed at http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/55426367.html
ELKHART — A little girl in Elkhart faces an uphill battle after she was attacked by a dog. A pit bull bit off 4-year-old Demonica Paul's nose last month. Family and friends are rallying around the family on her long road to recovery.
“I am looking at a 4-year-old girl that will never be able to breathe out of her nose again,” Melissa Paul told WSBT News.
Demonica Paul's parents have had a difficult time these last few weeks. After the pit bull attack in July, she's already had four surgeries on her face, and that's just the beginning. The first of several reconstructive surgeries starts next month in Indianapolis.
“She is beginning to have a little complex about her appearance. She's anxious and excited to look normal again,” Melissa said. “I'm dealing with a 4-year-old baby that's asking me what things smell like.”
Her parents say, as a 4-year-old in fragile condition, she sometimes has a hard time understanding why she can't go out and ride her bike, go to the playground or run around and play with friends.
“Doctors told us we can't let her go out and do the normal things, the activity that normal kids do — reason being, she could fall,” explained Demonica’s father Dewan Paul.
A fall that could cause further complications to her face.
“Without the support of family, friends, loved ones and God, I really don't know where I would be today mentally,” Melissa added.
Doctors say Demonica will likely be in and out of surgery for the next two to three years.
“The family is going through a very traumatic financial strain. Mr. Paul himself has been laid off,” said Pastor Kevin Adams, a family friend. “This is going to be a long, long, long road. There are going to be many surgeries.”
There is a fund set up to help the family with medical bills. You can donate to the "Demonica Relief Fund" at any First Source Bank.
This incident has also prompted Elkhart's city council to look at amending the city's laws regarding pit bulls. Earlier this month, the council started reviewing a measure that could ban pit bulls and other breeds. The city council will look further into the issue next month during two public work sessions.
Hmmm.......no mention of the brainiac who owns the devil dog. HE is the one who should be paying the medical bills.
Or throw him in a pit with similarly vicious dogs,see if he likes them,or they like him.
Maybe it was the family’s pet or a feral animal?
I wonder if there is a rigid mask, like a football or hockey mask, that the girl could don for play activities until her surgeries heal, so that she is not in danger of striking her face.
Maybe, but it seems odd that the dog and owner are not even mentioned.
While my heart goes out to the girl, why would ANYbody name their child, DEMONica?
The same article with a photo of the little girl is here - South Bend Tribune
They thought they were naming her Harmonica. Demonica is how you say it in Ebonics.
Pit bull owners are scum.
Maybe her mother, shalica, thought it sound cute.
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