JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A family is asking for the community’s help after their 4-year-old son lost his left ear following a dog attack in November on Jacksonville’s Westside.
On Nov. 20, Tracy Moore said two dogs approached her and her daughter as they were waiting for the school bus in their driveway. Moore said at first, the dogs “seemed friendly,” but when her 4-year-old son Roland stepped out to hug her, everything changed.
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“Our lives changed in an instant,” Moore said.
Moore said the dogs pounced on Roland, who fell and began to cry. She and her older son rushed to get Roland to safety, but Moore said the dogs became aggressive.
“I shielded Roland with my body, but one of the dogs latched onto his left ear and temple,” Moore said.
According to Moore, her son’s injury was “devastating,” and his ear was left hanging to his shoulder.
Roland spent a week in the hospital, where he went through leech therapy in hopes it would help save his ear.
Despite the efforts, Roland’s ear had to be amputated the day before Thanksgiving.
Moore said Roland is unable to receive a prosthetic ear until he is 6 years old.
“The trauma has affected him deeply—he suffers from night terrors, panic attacks, and a fear of dogs, even our own. Our family is shaken, trying to find a new sense of normal," she said.
Moore said the dogs were euthanized, but the owner did not have insurance that covered the dogs. She said the dogs’ vaccinations were also overdue.
Moore said she and her family want justice for Roland, but are struggling to afford the legal assistance they need.
“We want to give Roland the best chance at recovery—physically, emotionally, and legally," she said.
Moore created a GoFundMe to help cover legal fees, medical expenses, and child therapy.
“Giving Roland the care and justice he deserves,” Moore said.