Elsa Davila, a 64-year-old mother of two from Louisiana, is facing a challenging recovery after being attacked by a dog outside a Walmart in Sulphur, Louisiana. The incident occurred on June 2, when Davila, after completing her shopping, decided to help a man who was asking for financial assistance. The man’s dog, identified as a pit bull mix in local news reports, attacked Davila, causing severe injuries to her face and stomach.
The man, identified as 37-year-old Kyle Smith, was later arrested on charges of unlawful ownership of a vicious dog and trespassing. Davila’s daughters, Savanna Gonzales and Michelle Garcia, have since launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover their’s medical expenses, which include reconstructive surgery.
Gonzales, who along with her sister are Davila’s only local family, described the attack as “horrible” on the GoFundMe page. Despite the severity of the incident, Gonzales expressed faith in her mother’s resilience and the power of prayer. She wrote, “She is a very woman and with the Love of Christ she knows this will.”
Davila reconstructive surgery in New Orleans and is now back home. However, her recovery is expected to be long and may require additional surgeries. Gonzales shared an update on her mother’s condition stating that the skin graft on her face is not healing as well as expected, and they are closely monitoring it to prevent further complications.
In an interview with local news station KPLC, Gonzales revealed that the dog had broken its leash before attacking her mother. Garcia, who works at a nearby store, added that the dog had a history of aggressive behavior towards customers.
The GoFundMe campaign for Davila has raised over $4,500 as of Wednesday. The family is seeking both financial support and prayers for Davila’s recovery.