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Update: Sumter girl back home after vicious dog attack
Posted: 02.10.2009 at 11:41 PM
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WACH FOX News has an update to a story we've been following in Sumter County. A young girl out of the hospital after a vicious dog attack. 6-year-old Kenyea Smith spent the last month fighting for her life. On January 12th, she was getting off the school bus in her neighborhood. Minutes later her brother found her bloody and clinging to life after several dogs mauled her. Paramedics flew Kenyea to the hospital where doctors rushed her into emergency surgery.

Kenyea's cousin 55-year-old Geraldine Knox is charged with allowing those animals to run at large. Deputies say Knox does not own the dogs but was feeding them making her liable. Knox's attorney, John Mobley, disagrees saying, "What happened to the little girl is the sole responsibility of the Sumter County Animal Control. That agency is created to stop this kind of incident from occurring."

Mobley joined his client in court Tuesday afternoon requesting a jury trial. So the process continues; but Kenyea and her family say they want to put this tragedy behind them.

Kenyea Smith is your average kindergartner. She's energetic and loves life.

"I dress like cinderella and act like Hannah Montana," says Kenyea.

Although, a month ago the 6-year-old's fairy tale turned into a nightmare. Her routine walk home almost killed her.

She says, "When they bit me it sounds like crunchy bales. They bit me on my back, they bit me on my head and they bit me on my foot."

At least 6 dogs viciously attacked Kenyea when she stepped off the school bus.

She says, "I didn't pet them. One dog just took my backpack. It was very hard to get up. I tried to get up and run but they run really fast."

"To hear her explain in her own words, brings tears to your eyes," says Kenyea's grandmother, Carolyn Phillips.

She says the dogs mauled her granddaughter so badly, she couldn't even recognize the child.

"When she came in they had ripped everything off, even her clothes."

Not only were Kenyea's clothes gone part of her ear was missing, too. She has other attack reminders on her face, scalp, back., arms, hands and legs. Phillips says even though her granddaughter is young, Kenyea has a mature faith.

"When she was running away from dogs all she could do is call on name of Jesus," says Phillips.

The beautiful little girl still faces years of plastic surgery and rehabilitation. But her struggles don't get her down.

As for the dogs, deputies killed three animals believed to be involved in the attack.. Geraldine Knox faces charges in the case since she had been feeding the dogs. If found guilty, She could face 30 days in jail and a $200 fine.

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