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Dog Attack Victim Speaks Out, Calls For Dogs To Be Put Down
July 24, 2013
A Nokomis woman mauled by two pit bulls at her home last Thursday morning is speaking out about her recovery and calling for the dogs to be put down.
Sandra Lambert, 63, was airlifted to the USA Medical Center in Mobile following the brutal attack. She underwent multiple surgeries, including the full amputation of her right arm up to her shoulder. She also suffered deep puncture and gash wounds to her left arm and her legs. She still faces more surgeries for skin grafts to her left arm and legs on her long road to recovery.
She remains in the SICU at USA Medical Center. She has been able to relate to her family the events that transpired the morning of the attack.
Lambert had taken both pit bulls out for a walk behind her home. Molly, the female dog, was one a leash and lunged at some chickens in the yard. Lambert yelled “No, Molly” to the dog and pulled on her leash. The dog quickly turned on her and attacked, with the male dog, Rosco, joining in. Buddy, who had been the family’s dog for years, tried to help and was brutally attacked by the pit bulls.
Buddy did not survive the attack, but he is credited with perhaps saving Lambert’s life, giving her the chance to crawl inside her home and call 911.
Both dogs were captured by Escambia County Animal Control and remain in the county’s animal shelter in Pensacola. Their future is still unknown, according to Bill Pearson, Escambia County spokesman.
The dogs “are still under their ten day rabies quarantine. Once that time is up, Animal Control will have the opportunity to complete a ‘dangerous dog’ evaluation on the animals. That is also when it will be officially determined who owns the dogs (if anyone) and what the next step will be,” Pearson said Tuesday afternoon.
As for Lambert, she strongly believes the dogs should be euthanized.
“Sandra said they need to be put down. She said what she saw in the eyes of the dogs that day was a look that she’d never seen before-a killer look, and from her injuries it appears that is what the dogs were trying to do,” Lambert’s cousin Martha Hall said on her behalf.
Lambert had taken the two dogs in as strays, according to the Sheriff’s Office, and had been caring for them. The dogs had reportedly been left behind about five months ago when their owners moved away from the area.
“Many people wonder why Sandra would take in these dogs, but for those who don’t know her, let me give a little background information on Sandra. For 25 plus years, Sandra worked as a registered nurse,” Hall said.
“Even after leaving the medical field, Sandra’s sense of caring and nurturing carried over in her personal life, whether it was spending time with her kids and grandkids, or taking care of her husband who died from cancer in March 2011. Sandra herself is a cancer survivor, and has always loved animals and has taken care of many, whether they were a dog, cat, squirrel, bird, etc. If they were injured or hungry, she would try to help them. So, when she saw the pit bulls left behind at an abandoned house, she would go by and leave them food and water. After a period of time, when she felt the animals were comfortable with her, she eventually took them to her house.”
An account to help Lambert with medical expenses has been established. Donations can be made to the “Benefit Account for Sandra Lambert” and any branch of United Bank.
“Sandra has a long road to recovery ahead of her,” Hall said. “The family would like to thank everyone for their concern, visits, phone call, and prayers.”
Pictured top: An Escambia County Animal Control officer removed a tranquilized pit bull from an enclosed porch. Pictured inset: One of the two pit bulls involved in a vicious attack last Thursday morning was trapped on an enclosed porch. Pictured below: The female dog Molly after being tranquilized. Pictured bottom: The attack happened at a mobile home in Nokomis, FL. Lambert was airlifted to the USA Medical Center in Mobile. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
46 Responses to “Dog Attack Victim Speaks Out, Calls For Dogs To Be Put Down”
I have no beef with pits that are raised and trained by responsible owners. But I wud never in a million years adopt/rescue an adult Pit. You just can’t be sure of it’s history and treatment previously and for that reason they shouldn’t be trusted to give loyalty to a new owner. Any dog can turn in the right circumstances. They are animals after all.
Pit owner – learn to read, pits are #1 on every published list.
I doubt your vet said that. Vets do not recomend pits as they are very unstable. There is no need for the breed in this day and age. If pits were trainable as a working dog law enforcement would use them.
They should all be put down.
My husband and I have owned pit bulls our entire 10 years of marriage. They ARE NOT BAD DOGS. I was told by my vet today that pit bulls are one the best dogs to own and that only people cause bad dogs. Do the research bulldogs were not breed to be fighter or mean, they were bred to hunt bears and hogs. Dalmatians, German Sherpards and Chows are the top 3 most dangerous dogs and they are listed in that order. How many of you own German Shepard’s? Probably a lot. Would you consider them to be killers probably not.
CONSIDERING:
“These stupid dogs have more rights than a child growing in his mothers womb.”
Actually, a dangerous dog can be killed if anyone is harmed or seriously threatened by it whereas a child in her mother’s womb can only be harmed if that woman desires it. Even there, she’s limited to killing her or not killing her. If she simply harms her and she is born, the mother can be charged with child abuse.
David for truth
These stupid dogs have more rights than a child growing in his mothers womb.
This animal love is sickening
Jerry A, not only did she take care of them on other property, she didn’t contact animal control, she took them to her property & kept them, so that makes them hers
It should not even be a ? about what step to take, after the 10 days, put them down. I’ve had a bulldog to stand @ edge of woods & bark @ me & my kids, but no he’s a good boy he won’t bite, they didn’t even keep him shut up. When will people learn?
There are several pit bulls in my area and after dinner each evening my wife and I like to take a little stroll through our neighborhood. I have seen some of these dogs charge at us with only a fence between us and them. You can rest assured however that I do have a second option available should they ever get loose and charge us in a threatening manner. I have a Florida Concealed Carry License and I carry a 45 caliber loaded with hollow points with me whenever we go for our walk.
@ Ironfist– While you may be in control now, never get sick or fall. There is always another animal in most packs who wants to be the “pack leader” and if the old “pack leader” shows signs of weakness they will attack to take control. I worked with and trained large dogs for many years so I feel I have a good grip on this. Some times if you are out with your dogs look at their eyes and see where you are in the pecking order. There are in most cases one that will be looking at you trying to judge if they can take over as the “pack leader”. Wish you luck if you stumble and fall in front of that animal and the rest of the pack joins in.
Ahh I’m confused why is the poor lady having to ask for the dogs to be put down. They are off her arm! Kill the stupid dogs already!
Mary,
I hope your neighbor carries a gun with him since your dogs are biting the fence trying to get at him. Dogs do get out of fences sometimes. You use to intentionally let them run free and even let them breed? Wow. I’m glad they never killed anyone.
Reading this is a good reminder for me to always bring a way to protect myself if I go out of my own fence for a walk etc. I would hate to run into sweet dogs like yours.
We got a pit when he was 8 weeks old many years ago. He was the best dog ever! Then we were able to get a female when she was about 8 months old because she had started taking care of her owners hunting dog puppies. She was so sweet. When our son came along, the first thing we did when we brought him home from the hospital was to take him into the back yard, unwrap him and introduce him to the dogs. They were his playmates growing up and we NEVER had any problem with them being vicious or mean. When the female gave birth to her first litter, our son had crawled into the large dog house with her and watched them being born. He came into the house to tell us about the puppies so we made a bed for her in the laundry room and brought her in for the rest of them to be born. Our son stayed with her the whole time and loved on her and fed her from his hand and gave her water. He was about 2 years old at the time. We loved our dogs and treated them well. I believe a dog, no matter what breed will take on the characteristics of the owner. We were happy owners to two wonderful pit bulls with lots of good memories. I am sorry for this woman’s misfortune. I believe the pits she took in may have been mistreated or they were upset by being abandoned by their owners and took their frustrations out on her. No matter the reason, her other pit tried to save her and I think the kindest thing would be to put the others down as they are damaged inside.
Dogs didn’t respect her. My pitbulls respect me as their pack leader I dont have to worry about this.
@Dogowner: You reference the National Canine Research Council, an organization founded just seven years ago by confirmed pit bull advocate Karen Delise, a woman who has profited handsomely from her promotion of pit bulls. The sole purpose of the NCRC is to promote pit bulls, therefore, any “reports” produced by this organization can, and should, be dismissed as biased and unreliable.
No dog was ever known as a “nanny dog.” This foolishness started with a 1971 article in the New York Times, was a direct quote by the president of a pit bull organization, and was never intended to be taken seriously. It is difficult to believe there are people in the 21st century who are so obtuse they actually believe parents in the early 1900s – back when people had a little common sense and kept dogs outside, where all dogs belong and kept their children away from dogs – would entrust a child to the care of a dog! It seems there is no limit to the nonsense pit bull owners believe and repeat.
“Petey,” the dog on “The Little Rascals” was such a vicious demon that he bit Carl Switzer, the actor who played Alfalfa. After the show ended, both Switzer and Thomas Ross Bond, who played Butch, said all the children hated working with the dog because he was bad-tempered and uncooperative.
Helen Keller’s dog, “Sir Thomas,” was a Boston terrier, NOT a pit bull! If you don’t believe me, check the “Boston Evening Transcript” of February 8, 1902, under the headline: “Helen Keller Given a Dog – Boston Terrier from Radcliffe Classmates.”
There is indeed a lot of misinformation being passed around about this type of dog by people who believe all the pit bull propaganda they read on the internet disseminated by pseudo dog “experts,” most of whom would be hard put to differentiate between a dog’s nose and its tail!
I fail to understand the reasoning of giving an animal food and water causes the animal to then become the property of the person giving the care. I guess it’s sort of like “finders keepers– losers weepers”. Hope none of those who feel this way take in a hunting dog and then have the owner find out where his dog is and comes to get it. Could be interesting. The poor woman lost her arm— feel sorry for her—not the dogs. Go ahead and put the animals down.
Alarmed & Armed
You speak of research on these animals, but I don’t see that you are researching it correctly. (You can’t trust everything you read online)
- According to the National Canine Research Council, pit bulls have an 86% American Temperament Testing Society passing rate. That’s higher than miniature poodles (77.9%), beagles (80.3%), or collies (79.7%) (Chicago Tribune).
- Pit bulls were known in the early 1900’s as “nanny dogs” because they were tolerant and gentle with children. Helen Keller’s dog, “Sir Thomas”, was a pit bull, and so was “Petey”, the canine mascot of the Little Rascals (Yahoo! News).
There is indeed a lot of misinformation being passed around about this type of dog, and it’s clearly caused a negative reputation for the animal. Animals can be trained to attack, and many pit bulls are, but to say aggression towards humans or other animals is a genetic trait is simply not the truth.
@Al: The problem with allowing pit bulls to be adopted is there is no way to behaviorally assess a pit bull for pet suitability. Within a period of no more than four or five weeks last year, newly-adopted pit bulls that had been assessed and pronounced “safe” for adoption attacked people in Arkansas, Georgia, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Tennessee. Last December, an adopted pit bull that had been assessed and pronounced “safe” for adoption, killed a 2-year-old girl in Topeka, Kansas. There are numerous other examples of adopted pit bulls attacking and killing, or trying to kill, their new owners, members of their owners’ families, or other people – usually children.
Another problem is the people who work in dog rescue are typically dog freaks, i.e., people who place a greater value on dogs than they do on human beings and will do ANYTHING to save a dog, even allowing the adoption of a dangerous dog.
Many of you have probably forgotten what happened back in the late 1980s when a newly-adopted dog that was featured as “pet of the week” in Fort Walton Beach attacked and killed a 4-year-old child just TWO HOURS after the adoptive family got their new pet home. The family sued and the animal shelter ended up paying more than $400,000 and went out of business. Later, when one of the women who ran the shelter was questioned, she admitted the dog had “issues,” but said if it wasn’t adopted, it was scheduled to be euthanized. Unfortunately, this woman is the norm, rather than the exception, when it comes to rescuing dogs.
If a defect in a certain make of car, child crib, or whatever, had caused as many deaths and serious injuries as have pit bulls, they would have been recalled and taken off the market long ago. It’s time pit bulls were “taken off the market!”
My apologies, Retired…. it is up for a vote still on adopting the “unadoptable” breeds
http://agenda.myescambia.com/docs/2013/COW/20130718_761/4661_Animal%20Transparency%20Act%20Animal%20Control%20Penalty%20Fee%20Revisions%20final%2007-2013.pdf
Retired – actually, the Esc Co shelter DOES now adopt out pits / pit mixes/ rottweilers, etc… just recently changed, probably not even a month ago
Terri – before you judge all pit bulls, remember Ms. Lambert’s pit bull and Jack Russel are the reason she is alive at all – they fought (the pit literally to death) to protect her.
POOR DOGS!! I have 4 dogs w/pit & chow in them..1 was a “dump off” & then we had babies & kept 2..I know that they can get mean(they chew @ the fence when the “new neighbor ” pulls up & leaves his land…I dont like them & my dogs know it. so I keep them in a fence & feel sorry that I no longer let them run free…I have 35 acres & I’m not fencing all that..so I did what I could..bu tI would never take a full grown PIT you just never know who had them or how they were treated,,I’m glad the lady is ok.& learned a lesson…too bad SOMEONE cant take the dogs!! NO KILL!!!
Pitbulls can pass a temperment test fine. They snap for no reason. Pittbulls are bread for fighting its in their blood.
People are spreading mis information about pittbulls on here. With any research, youllfind that they are bread as vicious dogs. The ability to snap and attack is genetic trait. Some may, some may not. Some studies show that the trait is consistent in 75 to 85 percent of pittbulls.
Those who own and want to own, do so at your own risk. You better be ready and accept the misery of being ripped apart suddenly for no reason or be ready to see your little sweet innocent dog that snapped get put down quick. Don’t say we didn’t tell ya so when you’re the one bleeding out and going into shock looking up at us from the ground in your own pool of blood and mind nebding pain screaming for help.
I know I can protect myself against a pittbull attack, can you?
“Responsibility has left the building!!! on July 24th, 2013 11:15 am
Stop breeding dogs? Stupid people breed everyday should we put a stop to that?”
I vote YES! Haha
Ok People first off Prayer’s for Ms. Lambert on her recovery, second if you take a animal in and keep the dog or cat it belongs to you, third they DO NOT adopt out pit bulls at Escambia Co. Animal Control I know this for a fact they are on the do not adopt list, they will be kept for 10 days watched and then ACO will call and talk to Ms. Lambert and then at that time they will be PTS. (put to sleep). How do I know all this I was a Animal Control Officer and now retired because I was injured.
I would have to agree that after 6 months of care and housing of these animals, they are her dogs.
true story – we found some kittens in our woods. they looked to be about 3 or 4 weeks old. we called the animal shelter to come get them and they told us they were full and would not come get them. we called each day for for 3 days with the same response. day 4 we called animal control and told them to come pick them up and what the shelter told us. we were informed that the shelter has to take them as we live in Escambia county. we called the shelter and were told again they were full. called animal control again and they said take them there and drop them off. we took them there and Escambia county declared they were our kittens because they were on our property. never mind we do not have cats as we are all allergic to them the county said the kittens were ours! so much for trying to do the right thing!
Responsibility has left the building! is so right —-but—-the people who do not watch their dog as you do still are allowed to have the killer breeds and unfortunately it is usually an innocent victim or worse yet a child who is killed or maimed. I am sure you know that you can’t fix irresponsibility.
I’m a animal lover & have taken in numerous animals, but I feel once a dog attacks a human they should be put down. I hope they find the owners & hold them accountable for what happened. Prayers for Sandra.
To those saying pit bulls shouldn’t be bred…you clearly don’t know what you are talking about. Pit bulls aren’t born killers, they are trained to be killers. We used to say the same thing about dobermans and rottweilers.
Don’t believe everything you hear or read. Ask questions, think critically and do some research.
I agree with Dad and with Jerry. People should not be punished for having a kind heart. No punishment could be worse than what has already happened to this kind lady. She does not need any more stress in her life. I pray her healing is quick and complete.
As crazy as it sounds dogs that attack are not always put down. 20 years ago in this same area my cousins two year old daughter was attacked. She was bitten in the face several times and drug by the dog. She was transported by ambulance, hospitalized and had multiple stitches to her face. 20 years later still has scares. It was a lost hunting dog. He came up onto the porch of the home and into the door. She inside the house and her Mom was within reaching distance. At first we were told that the dog would be put down, but the last we heard the owner had been located and the dog returned to him.
Just 3 or 4 years ago my neighbor was attacked while out for a walk with her husband. He said there was no sound, bark, growl or anything. They didn’t even see the dog. It came up behind them. The first bite was to the back of her neck to bring her down. Then proceeded to bite her legs while her husband was beating him. She was transported by ambulance, multiple stitches, and spent time in the hospital. The dog was returned to the owner who couldn’t bring himself to put the dog down. So it still lives here in my neighborhood with children and elderly people. And the owner knew the dog was vicious.
If I did that to a two year old or my neighbor I would be locked away and never let out, so my point is the dogs have more rights than we do.
Stop breeding dogs? Stupid people breed everyday should we put a stop to that? I have two rotties and watch them all the time around people and kids. Never had a problem with them because I watch their every move. They love kids and love to play with them. Would I ever leave them alone with kids ? Heck NO. It’s called being responsible and being in control of your animals. We are the masters of dogs and if you can’t control them don’t have them. So the people who left the dogs behind should have been responsible to find a home or take them to the shelter. But no lets take the easy way out and leave them and not be responsible for them. Pathetic. You shouldn’t of had the dogs in the first place. Feel sorry for this lady who has a big heart and wish her a speedy recovery.
Why would anyone want a dog breed that is known to have killer instinct?–There are those that will argue that they are lovable and sweet but look up killer dogs on the internet and see what breeds have been known to kill humans. What difference should it make where they were from and who is at fault. Kill the dogs, it is the most humane thing to do.
If it were me the dogs would be dead one second after the 10 days. No evaluation. Guilty.
why are pit bulls still being breed. time and time over and over we hear of way too many killings of children and adults and no matter what folks say bout the loyalty these dogs have, they will attack and kill the hand that feeds them. SO WHERE IS A LAW TO STOP THE BREEDING OF PITBULLS. There are laws against fighting them, so why breed a dog that is used for this cruel act. HELLLOOOOOOOOOO
Feel that whoever comes up with the stupid laws that would allow vicious animals to be adopted out should first have the animals live in their homes with unrestricted access to their families and other home pets. What better way to prove the animals are “safe”?
Feel the same way about our good lawmakers, lawyers and judges who provide a wrist slap to dangerous criminals and allow them to be on the streets to repeat their crimes.
Think the legislature and governor and lawyers should have the comfort of these persons being housed in their personal dwellings for at least six months with full access to the house, family members, vehicles, etc. Once they have proven “safe” for society then let them back into the public.
@Jeanna: Taking in and caring for the stray dogs does not make Ms Lambert the owner, all it really means is that she has a kind and passionate heart for stray animals. She was just the self appointed care-taker. The real owners are the one that are totally and completely responsible for this vicious attack on Ms Lambert.
With your logic, saying she is the owner is like saying if she is standing in a garage she is a car.
I agree with “dad”.
What on earth more evidence do our bureaucrats at the Escambia County Animal Control need to determine if these dogs are fit to be adopted out?
Bunch of politically correct pansies are all they are.
The dogs should have been shot and their brains tested for rabies post haste.
Which is the only definitive test for rabies.
For the record, I knew the owner of the house that the dogs were rescued from by Sandra. These dogs appeared and was on the porch weeks after the owners had moved out. These dogs didnt belong to or had ever lived there. Looked as though the dogs were dropped off by someone. Ms. Sandra passed this home daily and seen these dogs were alone and hungry. She resued them and had been caring for them out of the kindness of her heart. I pray that the owners that did abandon them steps up and does the right thing. It is not uncommon in this area where we live to see abandon dogs. See it all the time. We ourselves have taken in strays that wandered up and stayed around.
I agree with so many others, she owned the dogs for 6 months – they are hers!
I do not understand why some people want to argue and debate the circumstances or Sandra’s thoughts. I know Sandra, and I would say she’s probably the biggest animal lover I have ever met. She has a long recovery before her and needs everyone’s support!
This is so unfortunate for Ms. Lambert. It makes me very sad to read the extent of her injuries, and I wish her a swift and uncomplicated recovery.
She didn’t just find them the day before and bring them home… She had the dogs for six months – that means she is the owner and has been the owner for a long time. Maybe the dogs had shown aggression before and that’s why the previous owners left them behind? That’s why it’s a good idea to take strays to the shelter and adopt dogs – from the shelter – which have been spayed/neutered, vaccinated and TEMPERMENT TESTED.
From the story.
The dogs “are still under their ten day rabies quarantine. Once that time is up, Animal Control will have the opportunity to complete a ‘dangerous dog’ evaluation on the animals.
Do they really need to do a ‘dangerous dog’ evaluation? I mean come on. Does anyone think they will be declared fit and adopted out to someone else? Why spend the money doing this when we know they will be put down anyway?
the old owners who left these dogs behind should be found and brought up on charges.this happens too many times,with no results.People should be liable for their pets.this should get ugly.
Uh…Brooke….read the story slowly again…it is complete and does add up. They were not her dogs but she cared for them as they were abandoned.
Brooke…. story says dogs were left behind when owners moved and Ms. Lambert started caring for them out of kindness.
Prayers and positive thoughts to Ms Lambert and her family during this time.
Wait, didnt it say she was taking the pit bulls for a walk…? But then after they do a dangerous dog test on them, then they will determine who’s dogs they are…? Are the dogs hers…? Story doesn’t add up. But I would like to say I am sorry that she was attacked. But if these were her dogs, she should know their temperament. When any dog, not just a pit bull gets fixed on something, like a chicken or anything considers food, sometimes, an action behind their back such as pulling a leash or screaming can trigger them… Kind of like panick mode. Like I said before. I hope she is ok.