Oregon 1-Year-Old Mauled by Neighbor’s Dogs Undergoes Multiple Surgeries, Family Says By Christina Coulter

An Oregon 1-year-old is recovering after she was mauled by two dogs that ran out of a neighbor’s home on Sunday afternoon.

Merissa Carron told KATU that she had just returned from church with her two daughters and had let them carry their Happy Meals into the home when the dogs got loose.

“I was able to push my 3-year-old out of the way, and she ran up the stairs real quick. But they weren’t really aiming for me or my 3-year-old. They were just going for my baby,” she said. “I was trying my best to push the dog off, but I also dragged her away so they couldn’t get their jaws completely around her. It just…happened so fast!”

In the family’s GoFundMe, the organizer wrote: “As of right now, she is doing well after her surgery and another surgery is being talked about.”

KATU reported that the toddler suffered a skull fracture, lost five inches of skin from the back of her skull, and sustained additional bites near her eye, stomach and lower back. She has undergone multiple procedures and is being treated at Randall Children’s Hospital in Portland, where she will need ongoing medical care.

Carron told the outlet the dogs came from their neighbor’s home and said both animals darted out when the neighbor opened the door.

According to KATU, one of the dogs was surrendered and euthanized, while the second dog’s case remains under review.

Carron said she had previously warned property managers about the dog.

“The final time I had reported, I had specifically told our apartment manager, I said, ‘This dog is going to get out, he’s going to either kill a child or he’s going to scar them for life,’” she said.

She added that a witness at the scene claimed there had been prior incidents, though police told the outlet they have no previous reports on file.

Carron said she is also worried about the emotional toll on her older daughter, telling KATU that her 3-year-old, Kinsley May, will “have lasting impacts from the trauma.”

The GoFundMe, set up by the family, has raised more than $5,000 to support the child’s care and her mother’s time away from work.