Teen ‘unrecognisable’ as pack of canine tears flesh from her physique in brutal assault
WARNING, GRAPHIC CONTENT: Tracy, 17, was out jogging in Newberry Springs, California, when she was attacked by more than 10 ‘large breed dogs’, leaving her body covered in horrific wounds
A 17-year-old girl has been left barely recognisable after a savage pack of dogs brutalised her in a horrific attack. Tracy Hurtado was out for run in Newberry Springs, California, when she was attacked by a pack of more than 10 “large breed dogs”.
The teenager required more than 500 stitches following the horrific assault which took place around 6.30am on July 17. A neighbour heard the petrified schoolgirl’s agonised screams during the brutal mauling and immediately rang emergency services, who rushed to the scene alongside the Tracy’s mother, reports the Mirror.
Tracy’s mother explained to ABC News the state she found Tracy in and said: “I thought they ripped her arms off.” She added: “I didn’t know who she was. She was so dirty, covered in dirt, so I couldn’t recognise my daughter.”
“I recognised her bra, that’s what I recognised. I got close to her and she asked me, ‘Mum, am I still pretty?’ and I said ‘Yeah, you’re beautiful’.”
Tracy was rushed to hospital where she endured days of excruciating pain after requiring more than 500 stitches for wounds across her entire body.
Her stepfather, Carlos Ramirez, said: “What was going through my mind was the worst. It was not one dog or two dogs, it was a lot. I mean, they bit every part of her body you could think of except for her ankles.”
Police confirmed she endured “large lacerations, abrasions, and removed flesh” from the attack. Authorities have now detained Craig Simmons in relation to the savage attack.
The 61-year-old was apprehended on August 13 after police “conducted surveillance” of his residence. Officers reported spotted Simmons cycling close to his property. Prior to this horrific incident 16 dogs had already been confiscated from the vicinity.
Simmons faces charges of owning an animal that caused serious bodily harm or death. The Sheriff’s Department claims the suspect’s dogs were “not fenced or leashed at the time of the incident”.
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support Tracy with her injuries and medical expenses. The fundraiser has impressively gathered £35,000 towards its £40,000 target.
The page reads: “She was getting ready to do her senior year of high school this year.”
The description added: “Now, because of this, she has to stay home and go to several doctors’ appointments and rehab. Due to the trauma, she cannot sleep at night; she’s having nightmares.”
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our
