A woman claimed her life was “ruined” after she had part of her cheek torn off when attacked by a friend’s pet dachshund.
Kelly Allen, 45, from Swansea, Wales, was having some drinks at a friend’s house last month when their “very friendly” dog suddenly changed behavior and decided to attack her unexpectedly.
“He was very friendly and showed no signs of being an aggressive dog. He was lying on his back getting belly rubs and had put his head in my lap a few times,” Kelly told PA Real Life.
The dog tore off a large piece of her cheek, leaving Kelly with an open wound that required five and a half hours of plastic surgery and more than 40 stitches. The sausage dog was removed from the property by the police and later euthanized.
“He didn’t bark, growl, or make any noise, he just lunged [toward me] and clamped onto my face. I could feel his teeth deep into my cheek—I still have flashbacks,” she recalled.
After the traumatic event, Kelly has been unable to return to her job at a travel agency due to her physical appearance. She now struggles to leave the house without being accompanied by one of her two sons, Fletcher, 19, and Cooper, 18.
According to her, the £350 (about $435) sickness benefit she receives is not enough to cover her bills. To help her, Kelly relies on her family, and her sister Stacey, 43, launched an online fundraiser that has already received more than £1,900 (approximately $2,300) in donations.
“I can’t get out of bed and I have cried in my sleep because I can feel his teeth in me. I was left with a horrible scar on my face. It just ruined my life, because it will never be the same again,” Kelly told PA Real Life.
“I now have to buy makeup for people with facial disfigurements—this is something I never thought I would have to do. I’m a single mother and I can’t afford my electricity and gas most weeks—it seems so unfair.”
She later discovered it was not the first time the dachshund had attacked someone. Kelly is seeking compensation from the dog’s owner, but this could take several years. “In the meantime, I have no income. My employers have been amazing and really supported me,” she explained.
“I’m not entitled to anything else because I’m still employed and I can’t quit my job to get unemployment benefits because then I’d lose my job. So, I’m in a very difficult situation right now.” This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
