A New York City woman is demanding justice after an attack at Prospect Park left her pup dead.
Unprovoked Attack Causes Unimaginable Loss
Early in the morning on August 3, a houseless man attacked Jessica (last name unknown) and her dog, Moose, in New York’s Prospect Park. According to police reports, Jessica said the man was speaking about immigrants before spraying her with urine. At that point, she and Moose fled back home.
Unfortunately, the unstable man followed them. Wielding a wooden stick, he first hit Jessica in the back and then hit Moose in the face.
“We got up the staircase, he hit me in the back, and then he hit Moose across the face so hard that it shattered one of his teeth and he also apparently hit him on the side,” Jessica told ABC7NY.
He sustained several severe — but seemingly non-life threatening, with treatment — injuries to his jaw and teeth. Jessica quickly rushed him to the vet. She also immediately started a Gofundme to pay for the imminent large bill.
“My dog, Moose, had to be rushed to the vet for emergency dental surgery and x-rays to check for damage to his jaw. One tooth was completely shattered and had to be extracted, the tooth next to it was chipped,” Jessica originally wrote on the Gofundme page.
Tragically, Moose died while on the operating table from a perforated intestine.
“Moose did not survive through surgery. I’m absolutely shattered, angry, and heartbroken. Moose was my life and my world. Please know I appreciate each and every donation toward the goal for his second surgery and I am working hard during moments of incredible grief to respond to everyone,” Jessica updated on her Gofundme.
“I just want justice for my dog, and I want people to be safe and feel safe in the park, no one should feel unsafe in the park,” she told ABC7NY.
Staying Safe as a Woman Walking a Dog
Unfortunately, women face greater danger than men when taking a dog for a walk. Even if women follow proper nighttime safety protocols — and even daytime safety protocols — there is still a risk.
Jessica’s story bears resemblance to an Atlanta murder that occurred in July of last year. A woman, Katherine Janness, and her dog, a Pit Bull named Bowie, were brutally stabbed while going for their nightly walk. Those murders still remain unsolved.
These instances of random violence are both scary and frustrating. DogTime offers our deepest condolences to Jessica as she deals with the loss of Moose. If you would like to donate to help Jessica cover Moose’s vet bills, click here.
