5-Year-Old Is Left in a Coma & Fighting for Her Life After Being Attacked by Neighbor’s Dog

Police in Independence, Missouri, say a dog attacked a 5-year-old girl, nearly killing her. The child, identified as Aletha, suffered serious injuries that could leave her with permanent brain damage. What prompted the attack remains unclear, but some close to the family say the dog appeared out of nowhere and attacked Aletha. She is reportedly in a coma, fighting for her life.

That attack happened just after 10 a.m. October 8, according to a news release from the Independence Police Department. Police say Aletha and an adult were inside a fenced yard when an unrestrained dog entered and attacked. Officials took the dog into custody, but it is unclear whether it is still alive.

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An ambulance took Aletha to the hospital.

Police arrived at the home in the 1900 block of East R D Mize Road after receiving the report of a dog attack. Upon arrival, police found Aletha with “severe lacerations from the bite.” She received medical attention at the scene before emergency crews took her to an area hospital.

“Initial indications are that an unrestrained dog entered the fenced backyard of the residence where the child and adult were,” the release reads.

Many people commented on the police department's Facebook page.

A woman claiming to know the family wrote, “I won’t go into too much detail… but I know the little girl and her family personally and she needs A LOT of prayers… the little girl was just playing in the backyard WITH her mother present and the dog came out of no where jumped the neighbors fence and MAULED her. AND for the record it WAS a pit bull.”

She added, “But of all the things you can take from this comment.. please just pray this sweet girl recovers from this tragedy.”

Someone else agreed, commenting, “My prayers for the family and the baby i hope that the family gets alot of help they need a lot of prayers.”

The police department's post caused many to disagree.

Officials didn’t confirm the dog’s breed, but some say it was a pit bull. This caused concern among many commenters.

“I get tired of seeing people defend these situations. Look up deaths by dog attacks. Pit bull #1,” one person wrote on the Facebook post. “Their jaws can crush body parts quickly. Their body can hold down a grown man. Yes small dogs can be aggressive but very very unlikely they could kill someone. Pit bulls need to be restrained at all times unless indoors.”

And this person who commented, “Stop saying its not the breed most attacks are pit bulls indep had them banned and lifted the order now this so sad prayers for the little girl and her family.”

Others believe the dog owner was to blame, such as this person who wrote, “I hope the child is ok. But the breed should not be a factor. There is always more to a story.”

“Has nothing to do with the breed of the dog it’s the bad owner who should be held responsible,” another commenter agreed.

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Aletha reportedly received severe injuries.

According to a GoFundMe account created by Andy Davies, Aletha’s condition seems grave.

“Aletha suffered devastating injuries, including a skull fracture, a broken collarbone and a broken rib. Aletha is a medially induced coma and is fighting for her life in intensive care,” the page reads. “Because of the loss of blood and oxygen, doctors fear Aletha may have suffered permanent brain damage.”

The fundraiser has brought in $18,000 of a $100,000 goal thus far.