A 12-year-old Indiana girl suffered horrific bite wounds on most of her body when she was mauled by a hulking 140-pound bullmastiff.
Michigan City police say the only parts of Winter Morgan’s body not injured in the November 10 dog attack were her left leg and face.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Morgan has already undergone three surgeries and is facing a fourth this week. She is being treated at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis.
Savage mauling: Winter Morgan, 12 (pictured left and right) was attacked by a hulking bullmastiff in Indiana that inflicted bites on most of her body
Dog attack took place as Morgan was walking to the school bus stop in Michigan City Friday
Morgan was walking to the school bus stop near her home in the Dunewood Mobile Home Park at around 7.40am last Friday morning when the giant dog lunged at her.
The 12-year-old ran into a nearby trailer to escape the animal, but the bullmastiff followed her and continued tearing at her flesh.
Michigan City Police Officer Scott Combs who responded to the scene was able to wrestle the dog and lock it in another room with the help of two neighbors, then used his EMT training to administer first aid to Morgan, possibly saving her life.
Speaking to the station WNDU, family friend Constance Lowder Bentley called Officer Combs ‘an angel’ and thanked the civilian Good Samaritans for coming to Morgan’s rescue.
Neighbor Marissa Goodman was among the brave bystanders who helped save Morgan from the dog. The woman reportedly used a bicycle to fight off the animal.
‘The dog wouldn’t let go no matter what I did, and I had to hit him with a bike to get him off her,’ Goodman told the station WLS.
Hero: Michigan City Police Officer Scott Combs (left) came to Winter’s rescue and wrestled the 140-pound dog, then locked it in a room. Combs then went to work administering first aid
Road to recovery: Winter was airlifted to a hospital in Indianapolis suffering from severe wounds on most of her body that required multiple surgeries
The 12-year-old was later airlifted to the hospital in Indianapolis, where, according to Lowder Bentley, surgeons had to take veins from her legs to repair torn veins in her arms. Morgan also required skin grafting and was being treated for a torn ear canal.
Morgan’s uncle has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help the girl’s family, who also have a one-year-old baby daughter, with medical and travel expenses. As of Tuesday afternoon, just over $1,530 has been raised.
Family and friends also have been raffling off various items, including gift baskets and gift certificate, to raise money for the Morgans through a Facebook page titled Winters Road to Recovery.
Officials say the bullmastiff that mauled the school girl is in quarantine pending a decision on its fate. A criminal investigation is also ongoing.
Surgeons had to take veins from Morgan’s legs to repair torn veins in her arms