FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - A mother and her child are recovering from injuries they sustained after they were attacked by two angry dogs in Fort Lauderdale.
A neighborhood walk turned vicious for Maria Gamez and her 5-year-old daughter, Leyding Gamez, when she said they were violently attacked by two pit bulls.
7News spoke with Gamez, who said they were walking to the store when the two dogs came out and grabbed her daughter. It happened near Southwest 13th Street, Monday.
Neighbors who heard and saw what happened took quick action to save them.
Gamez said as she was screaming for help, a neighbor came over with a stick and started hitting the dogs.
Surveillance video showed Richard Favilli saving the day. The neonatal nurse took care of the child while outside the hospital.
Police and neighbors said he raced from his home to rescue Leyding and her mother.
“I heard screaming,” said Ashley Wymer. “It was awful. I can’t get the sound out of my head.”
Wymer lives down the street and watched in horror.
“The mother tried to pick the baby up as high as she could. I mean, she’s 5 years old, and the dog just kept attacking her and mauling her,” said Wymer.
The dogs’ owners told Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue their two dogs were unleashed and were roaming their front yard when the attack happened.
“It was awful,” one woman said. “I can’t get the sound out of my head.”
Fire Rescue took the victims to Broward Health. They’re now staying with friends as they recover.
Gamez thanked the man who saved them. She said if it weren’t for him, those dogs would’ve killed them.
Both dogs have been euthanized, according to Broward County Animal Care and Adoption.
7News reached out to the owners, but they did not want to talk.
Favilli returned from his job at the hospital Thursday night, not wanting to do an interview. He told 7News off camera that he’s been through enough this week already.
To donate to the victims’ GoFundMe page for their medical needs, click here.
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