BARROW COUNTY, Ga. — UPDATE AUGUST 8: The Stinchcomb family said Joslyn has been moved to Children’s Healthcare.
“Our girl is still in so much need of continuous fervent prayer for both her physical and emotional trauma that is so far from being over, and will never really be absent from her life. Again, Thank you all for the prayers, love, and support you have given us during this time. Please to continue to pray for Joslyn’s recovery and for her medical teams.”
ORIGINAL STORY:
A 15-year-old girl is fighting to survive after two pit bulls attacked her in her neighborhood Friday.
Joslyn Stinchcomb is an avid walker in her Barrow County neighborhood. But her afternoon outing Friday turned to terror. Two pit bulls jumped on her as she walked down the street.
“She was coming around the cul-de-sac and the dogs just attacked, no provocation at all,” Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith said.
Smith told Channel 2′s Tom Regan the attack was horrific.
His department received a call about the attack which was still happening when deputies arrived. One of the pit bulls had Stinchcomb by her neck while the other was biting at her head.
One of the dogs rushed a deputy who arrived to help. Smith said his deputy shot the dog in the head while the other retreated.
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Paramedics had their hands full attending to Stinchcomb’s injuries. A Life Flight helicopter flew her to Grady Memorial Hospital, where she remains in the intensive care unit.
Deputies traced the dogs back to a neighbor’s house. The sheriff said they escaped through a rear door that had been left open. Deputies arrested the dog’s owner and both dogs have been euthanized.
“She was charged with reckless conduct, two dogs running at large, two counts of biting and attacking,” Smith said.
The owner got out of jail on bond. No one answered the door when Regan went to the neighbor’s house to see if she would talk.
Smith said what happened to Stinchcomb is a tragic reminder of keeping dogs leashed or appropriately confined.
“Gruesome attack. Very tragic for this young lady and her family,” he said.
Stinchcomb’s family shared on social media Monday that the teen has already underwent multiple surgeries and faces months of recovery.
A fundraiser on PayPal has been set up to help the family. You can donate here. The family said to watch out for fake fundraisers. Get well soon cards may be sent to PO Box 1502, Winder, GA 30680.
Stinchcomb’s aunt has posted more details about her niece’s injuries below. WARNING: Some may find the images and details graphic.
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