An elderly City View, Texas, woman was attacked by two pit bull dogs as she went for her daily walk near her home on Feb. 15. Her rescuers used a little divine intervention to try and get the dogs off 77 year-old June O’Hara to save her from further injury.
The woman was viciously attacked while she walked near her home by the two pit bulls who bit her, dragged and pulled on her over numerous areas of her body, particularly on her head, face, arm and stomach. Her screams were heard by several people, four of whom ran to her rescue. The dogs maintained their hold on O’Hara, continuously biting her on the top and side of her head, near her face, and stomach, while one of the dogs pulled and yanked on her arm as the dogs continued their attack as her rescuers approached. Three women, Jevohah’s Witnesses, carrying Bibles as they visited homes in the neighborhood came to Mrs. O’Hara’s rescue, as did a college student who tried to fight the dogs off by hitting them with a stick.
KSDK News quoted of the Jehovah’s witnesses as saying Mrs. O’Hara was crying and screaming “Help me; help me!” In spite of her screams and pleas for help, the dogs continued their attack. The dogs were unrelenting in their attack on June O’Hara even when the college student began hitting them with the stick, and even tried to bite the stick-wielding college student. In a further attempt to get the dogs to release their victim, one of the three women threw two Bibles at the dogs, after which the dogs did begin to back up off Mrs. O’Hara, according to the woman who threw the Bibles. The dogs finally completely stopped their vicious attack on June O’Hara when the first responders arrived on the scene.
While Mrs. O’Hara was being cared for by emergency responders and transported to the hospital for treatment, local animal control officials arrived on the scene. They were able to capture both of the pit bulls, owned by a resident of the neighborhood. Rumors surfacing the day after the attack included that the owner, who had allegedly rescued the animals from someone who previously mistreated the animals, had had both the dogs euthanized.
Mrs. O’Hara’s son, Tim, told the media that he had had the opportunity to meet the three women who came to his mother’s rescue. He stated there were “tears of joy” and that he hoped to visit their church. He also stated that his mother had told him she did not think she was going to live through the ordeal. He stated that the college student has not been found, but he hopes he will come forward so the family can thank him.
Mrs. O’Hara sustained multiple injuries, including several puncture wounds and bites as well as other injuries. Blood still on the street where Mrs. O’Hara was viciously attacked was a grim reminder of what had happened as the 77 year-old grandmother was simply taking her daily walk.
Mrs. O’Hara is not the only elderly person suffering from a recent pit bull attack. In June, 2011, a 75 year old woman in San Diego, California was so viciously attacked by two pit bulls as she went to get the morning paper that some of her bones were exposed as a result of the savage attack. One of her legs had to be amputated due to the attack and at the time, FOX 5 News San Diego reported that her husband stated that she may lose her other leg and left arm. Emako Mendoza eventually had to have her left arm amputated just below the elbow.
On Dec. 27, 2011, FOX 5 News San Diego again reported on the attack of Mrs. Mendoza. This time, FOX reported that on Christmas Eve, 2011, Mrs. Mendoza had died. The owners of the dogs, which were euthanized, were charged with felonies related to the attack and were arrested. Mrs. Mendoza was laid to rest Jan. 3, 2012.