Audrey Austin, who is expecting twins, says her babies remain healthy as the dogs’ owner faces municipal court proceedings.
TOPEKA, Kan. — A pregnant woman expecting twins is recovering from serious injuries after two dogs attacked her at a Topeka apartment complex, an ordeal that required multiple surgeries and left one dog dead and another in custody.
Audrey Austin said the July 17 attack at Highland Park Townhomes happened when she was 24 weeks pregnant. Topeka police said an altercation involving other people was underway in the area when a child connected to one of those involved let two dogs out. The dogs then attacked Austin, who was not part of the dispute, according to local reporting and police information cited by WIBW. Nearly a month later, Austin spoke publicly about her recovery and called for accountability from the dogs’ owner.
Austin said she became disoriented during the attack and initially feared that her unborn twins had been injured. She said she focused on protecting her stomach while the dogs attacked her. Her injuries were concentrated largely on her face, and earlier reporting from WIBW said she also broke a finger while trying to shield herself. Her partner said she later underwent lengthy surgeries on her face and one eye.
“I didn’t know where the blood was coming from,” Austin told WIBW. “I thought it was coming from my stomach, so I was blocking my stomach the best that I can.” Austin has made repeated hospital visits and undergone multiple procedures since the attack. Her family said a bystander intervened and helped stop the assault.
A Topeka police officer later shot and killed one of the dogs after the animal became aggressive toward the officer, according to WIBW. The second dog was taken into custody and remained there as of the latest report. Police previously said the dogs’ owner was cooperating with the investigation.
WIBW identified the dogs’ owner as Tina Buck. The station reported that Buck received a municipal citation involving dangerous dogs and was later booked in the Shawnee County Jail on allegations of interfering with law enforcement and allowing dogs to run at large. She posted bond. The allegations remain pending, and no finding of guilt has been reported.
Austin said she holds the owner responsible for what happened. “You had hurt not just one life, but you had hurt three lives,” she said, referring to herself and her unborn twins. “You almost cost three lives that night.” Austin also said she does not blame dogs generally for the attack and believes owners bear responsibility for controlling and raising their animals.
The attack has also taken an emotional toll. Earlier interviews with Austin’s partner described nightmares and lasting trauma as she recovered from her physical injuries. Despite those effects, Austin returned to the apartment complex where the attack occurred. “No dog is going to keep me from going home,” she said.
Austin said in mid-August that she was approaching 28 weeks of pregnancy and that both babies were in good health. She expects to deliver the twins in November. A fundraiser has also been established to help with costs related to her recovery.
Buck is expected to return to court in September, according to WIBW. The exact outcome of the municipal proceedings remains unresolved, and the second dog remains in custody. Austin, meanwhile, continues recovering while preparing for the birth of her twins.
Author note: Last updated August 19, 2026.