Warning: Accommodates some graphic photos and descriptions which some readers might discover distressing. A toddler who was savagely attacked by three pitbulls underwent a 16-hour surgical procedure and faces 30 to 40 extra operations on account of his accidents.
‘My toddler’s face was ripped off by a pitbull – harmful canine put everybody in danger’
A dad is asking for tighter restrictions round “harmful” canine breeds, together with the XL bully, after his toddler’s face was “ripped off” by a pitbull.
JJ Rodriguez, now three years outdated, was enjoying exterior in his entrance backyard together with his older sisters when the horrific assault befell. A neighbour’s pitbull savaged the toddler on February 20, 2022, leaving him in a vital situation.
The assault ripped JJ’s face aside, together with his cranium uncovered and jaw torn aside. His accidents have been so extreme {that a} priest was referred to as to his bedside. The tot needed to keep within the Oklahoma Youngsters’s Hospital for three-and-a-half months and has undergone 12 surgical procedures for the reason that assault – together with intensive facial reconstruction.
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Picture: Jose Rodriguez / SWNS) Jose Rodriguez / SWNS) Picture: Jose Rodriguez / SWNS) Jose Rodriguez / SWNS)
JJ’s dad, 34-year-old Jose from Spencer, Oklahoma, believes house owners of pit bulls and different “harmful” canine breeds are “placing everybody in danger”. The forklift operator mentioned: “JJ was a canine lover – however these pit bulls scalped him – they took his nostril, jaw and cheekbones off.
“Folks have tried to say it was our fault for permitting JJ to play across the canine – however the actuality is, if you personal a pit bull, you are placing everybody round you in danger.”
The devastating incident occurred when Jose and his spouse, Cassandra, 33, let their seven kids play exterior. Cassandra was watching them from the entrance door as they fortunately performed with teddy bears and sat by some flower beds as Jose obtained prepared for work.
After Jose obtained out of the bathe he spoke to Cassandra, She picked up their youngest little one, Olivia, who was then 5 months outdated, and took her inside for “a minute”.
However that minute would change the whole lot. Within the time it took for Cassandra to show her again on the youngsters, the dad and mom heard JJ start to scream. They rushed exterior to seek out three pit bulls dragging their son alongside.
Picture: Jose Rodriguez / SWNS) Jose Rodriguez / SWNS) Picture: Jose Rodriguez / SWNS) Jose Rodriguez / SWNS)
“I began screaming ‘no’ and I simply ran in direction of the canine,” recalled Jose. “I used to be combating with them – attempting to bodily put myself between them and JJ.
“I obtained injured too – nevertheless it was like nothing in comparison with what occurred to him. These canine didn’t wish to cease – it was like a pack mentality. They needed to kill my son.”
After a battle that lasted simply 30 seconds however left critical harm between Jose, JJ and the canine, Jose noticed his alternative. The “chief” opened its mouth, and Jose threw his arm in there, giving JJ time to flee.
They ran off however JJ was left with horrific, life-threatening accidents. His older sister Khloe, 13, dialled 911 as Joe tended to his son.
“I turned JJ round,” Jose mentioned. “I assumed he was useless. However then, he began crying and I used to be crammed with hope.
“I checked out his face, and there was simply nothing there. I may see into his throat – and he was choking on his personal blood.
“I am normally such a highly-strung, stressed-out type of man. However I used to be extraordinarily calm. I stored rubbing his again, telling him he was going to be OK.”
Picture: Jose Rodriguez / SWNS) Jose Rodriguez / SWNS) Picture: Jose Rodriguez / SWNS) Jose Rodriguez / SWNS)
The household adopted the 911 operator’s directions, wrapping JJ’s total head up in an effort to maintain his wounds clear. Nonetheless, when firefighters, who have been first to the scene, arrived, they instantly referred to as for backup.
Jose recalled: “I heard the firefighter say ‘oh f**ok. This child’s dying.’ We drove to the hospital, after the ambulance took him away. It was the longest journey of my life.”
As quickly as they have been on the hospital, JJ was rushed to surgical procedure. However the information for his dad and mom wasn’t good, they have been warned he had a low likelihood of survival.
“The nurse informed us about canine assaults on toddlers and the way 70 per cent of the time, they’re deadly,” mentioned Jose. “And we knew JJ had been attacked by a number of canine. The surgeon even requested us if we would prefer to name for a priest.”
JJ spent 16 hours in surgical procedure that day. Surgeons carried out a tracheostomy, inserted a feeding tube and the toddler had “his face stitched again collectively”.
Picture: Jose Rodriguez / SWNS) Jose Rodriguez / SWNS) Picture: Jose Rodriguez / SWNS) Jose Rodriguez / SWNS)
Jose mentioned JJ grew to become scared of canine after the assault to the purpose the place he even struggled with canine barking on the cartoon Paw Patrol. Jose mentioned: “A psychologist got here in and mentioned he now has a worry of canine which might be detrimental to his life.
“We needed to make the tough choice to let him strive publicity remedy – which concerned working with a remedy canine. It has been very efficient – and JJ is now high-quality with canine, for probably the most half.”
The three-year-old remains to be in restoration with surgeons predicting he’ll want one other 30 to 40 operations in his lifetime. JJ continues to be handled with leisure, publicity and occupational remedy and has needed to be taught to stroll, speak, sleep and eat once more from scratch.
“JJ is extraordinarily assured – in truth, he radiates confidence – he has a really loud and charming persona,” mentioned Jose. “He agrees with folks after they say he is a hero – and he is obsessive about the thought of turning into a policeman when he grows up. He is goofy, he is foolish, he likes to prank folks – and he is clever too.”
Picture: Jose Rodriguez / SWNS) Jose Rodriguez / SWNS) Picture: Jose Rodriguez / SWNS) Jose Rodriguez / SWNS)
In addition to serving to their son on his restoration journey, Jose and Cassandra are combating for extra laws surrounding harmful canine. They imagine the present legal guidelines in Oklahoma are “archaic”.
Jose mentioned: “Within the state of Oklahoma, canine bites are very outdated. Now we have this factor referred to as the ‘One BIte’ regulation – during which nation canine are allowed one free chunk.
“I did not know any of this till it occurred to my son. The jaw-dropping factor is – nurses informed us he was the thirty fifth canine chunk case they’d seen to date that yr. It was February.”
Because the UK authorities introduced plans to ban the XL bully by the top of the yr, Jose mentioned his household’s activism has been partially blamed by social media customers – regardless of being US-based. He defined: “We obtained a tonne of hate as quickly because the XL bully ban was introduced.
“We have needed to block tons of of individuals during the last 5 days alongside. They are saying JJ’s story makes these breeds ‘look dangerous’ – however we have to be practical.
“It is clear as day that every one canine have inherent genetic traits. Golden Retrievers retrieve, proper? So why is it that with regards to breeds like pitbulls and bullies, it is abruptly about how they’re raised?
“Now we have to handle the primary concern. I would like folks to be cautious round all harmful breeds. In fact, all canine assault – however these appear to be the issue kids.”