At a Glance
- A 5-year-old girl nearly lost her hand in a dog attack on January 5.
- Her father intervened and sustained bite injuries while saving her.
- Surgeons used a vein from her leg to restore blood flow to her hand.
- Why it matters: The family faces mounting medical bills and long-term recovery costs.
A 5-year-old girl almost lost her hand in a brutal dog attack, and her father was injured saving her life. The incident occurred on Monday, Jan. 5, according to a GoFundMe established by the girl’s aunt, Sizakele Irvin, on behalf of the family.
The Attack
“Monday night, my 5-year-old niece Jazz experienced something no child should ever have to face. She was attacked by a dog, and in the chaos, her father Phil bravely intervened to save her, suffering bites himself,” Irvin wrote on the fundraising page.
The injuries to Jazz were severe. She was airlifted to a larger hospital several towns away, where she underwent emergency vascular surgery. Her surgery team was ultimately able to save her hand, which was nearly lost in the attack.
Emergency Surgery
Surgeons used a vein from Jazz’s leg to restore blood flow to her hand in the emergency surgery. The procedure was critical to saving her limb after the attack.
Family Impact
“This has been a terrifying and life-changing ordeal for Jazz and her family,” Irvin wrote. “The road ahead will be long, with mounting medical bills, ongoing recovery therapy, and the need for my sister to take family leave from work to care for Jazz. These costs are overwhelming, and the emotional toll is just as heavy.”
Fundraising Efforts
As of Friday, Jan. 16, the fundraiser had reached $11,415 toward an ultimate goal of $24,000. The funds will help cover medical expenses and support the family during Jazz’s recovery.
Irvin additionally shared the fundraising page for her “sweet niece” on Instagram. “Sharing the fundraiser helps tremendously too!” she wrote in the post’s caption, alongside a photo of herself with Jazz from an earlier date.
According to News Of Los Angeles, the child’s aunt described the incident as a “terrifying and life-changing ordeal” for the girl and her parents. The family continues to seek support as they navigate the challenges ahead.
