Woman continues to heal from Biscayne Gardens dog attack, boyfriend says

A Biscayne Gardens woman is home from the hospital and recovering after she was viciously attacked by four dogs while walking in her neighborhood earlier this month, her boyfriend said.

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The dogs, described as “terrier mixes” by Miami-Dade Animal Services, attacked Ashley Perez, 30, while she was taking a walk around 6 p.m. at Northwest 145th Street and 11th Court on Sept. 17. Perez was about 10 minutes into the walk when the dogs cornered her, her boyfriend Michael Cimino said in a GoFundMe fundraiser post.

The dogs escaped from a nearby yard. They latched onto her arms and legs and pulled her to the ground, Cimino said. Neighbors hearing Perez screaming came to her aid and formed a barrier around her and tried scaring the dogs away.

Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived and tried getting the dogs back into their yard, but they lunged at them, prompting one of the deputies to fire shots at the animals. They ran off and were not hit.

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Gabriella Dominguez, spokeswoman for Miami-Dade Animal Services, said all four dogs have been captured, and the agency continues to investigate their owner. The dogs were “humanely euthanized,” Dominguez told the Miami Herald Wednesday.

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A woman who declined to giver her name told Herald news partner CBS Miami that her she cares for the dogs, but does not own them. She said they belong to her ex-husband, who moved away, the station reported.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue paramedics took Perez to Jackson Memorial Hospital in critical condition. She was released a few days later, her attorney Michael Goldfarb said.

Cimino said Perez suffered deep puncture wounds to her arms and legs, which makes it difficult for her to move. While in the hospital, she experienced panic attacks and flashbacks, Cimino said. Though home, Cimino said she has a long road ahead while she continues to recover mentally and physically.

“Ashley is a vibrant, loving, and kind person. The sweetest soul I’ve ever met,” Cimino wrote. “Her life has been altered forever simply because she took a walk in the wrong place at the wrong time. Despite that, she is trying with all she has to remain strong.”

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