On Wednesday, August 28, at around 6 p.m., several state and local troopers and officers responded to a call on Kyserike Road in High Falls regarding a serious dog attack.

Among the first to respond was the Kerhonkson-Accord First Aid Squad, who sent out a press release the following day stating that the call was for “multiple victims with dog bites” from a dog who had left the area. “However,” the report continued, “unbeknownst to law enforcement or EMS, the dog was still on scene and attacked arriving EMS crews.”

After the dog, a 2-year-old Pitbull, attempted to attack the rescue squad, a trooper fired his firearm and killed the dog, according to Trooper Steven Nevel of the New York State Police.

The victims of the attack were an 8-year-old female and her 39-year-old mother who were dog-sitting the dog that attacked them during the week of the 28th. Shawangunk Journal was informed by Trooper Nevel that the individual who called the police was the woman’s husband, the stepfather of the child. He and a young boy were present at the scene when the attack took place but both were unharmed.

The two victims were transported by helicopter to Westchester Medical Center, and the 8-year-old girl was, as of August 29th, reported to be in “critical but stable condition.” Trooper Nevel said she “suffered serious head injuries to her scalp and neck,” while her mother “suffered serious injuries to two fingers on her right hand.”

In a Facebook comment under the post by the Kerhonkson-Accord First Aid Squad, a woman identifying herself as the victim reached out saying that she and her daughter are in stable condition but have a long road to recovery ahead of them.

She has posted graphic images on her Facebook page that she says show her daughter in the hospital after undergoing extensive surgeries for her wounds. She says that her daughter “barely escaped with her life” and endured injuries including a loss of 50% of her scalp, one of her ears which was reattached, and major arteries punctured in her neck. She also said that she, herself, lost three fingers and her metacarpal bone was crushed. We were unable to get in contact with her to confirm these statements.

The Kerhonkson-Accord First Aid Squad reported that among those that assisted in the rescue were the Accord Fire District, Ellenville First Aid and Rescue Squad, Hatzolah of Catskills, Marbletown Fire Aid Unit, New York State Police, Ulster County Sheriff’s Office, Ulster County 911, and LifeNet of New York.

The owner of the dog stated that it was up to date on all vaccinations, but it is unknown if the dog had a history of violent behavior. There are no criminal charges currently filed against the owner.