In a horrifying incident last month, a 17-year-old girl was brutally attacked by a pack of large breed dogs while jogging in Newberry Springs, California. The teenager, Tracy Hurtado, was nearly killed in the attack that occurred on a dirt road on July 17.
Hurtado’s desperate cries for help were heard by a neighbor who promptly alerted the authorities. The teenager’s mother, Maria Azpeitia, rushed to the scene, initially failing to recognize her own daughter due to the severity of the attack. “She was so dirty, covered in dirt, so I couldn’t recognize my daughter. I recognized her bra, that’s what I recognized,” Azpeitia recounted.
The aftermath of the attack was gruesome, with Hurtado requiring over 500 stitches to close the numerous bites and lacerations on her body. The teenager, who was preparing for her senior year of high school, was recently released from the hospital. However, she is still unable to walk unaided and is plagued by nightmares due to the traumatic incident.
In the wake of the attack, a GoFundMe campaign was launched to aid Hurtado’s ongoing recovery. The campaign details the impact of the incident on Hurtado’s life, stating, “Now, because of this, she has to stay home and go to several doctor’s appointments and rehab.” The campaign has already garnered over $11,000 in donations.
Meanwhile, law enforcement officials have seized 16 dogs believed to be involved in the attack. The dogs are currently being held at the Barstow Humane Society. Authorities are working to determine whether the dogs have owners or are part of a pack of abandoned dogs known to roam the desert.
The incident has sparked a renewed focus on the issue of stray and abandoned dogs in the area. As investigations continue, the community is rallying around Hurtado, offering support and donations to aid in her recovery.