South Florida woman recalls terrifying dog attack while rescuing her poodle

HOMESTEAD, Florida. – A South Florida woman recounts the heartbreaking details of an attack by a neighbor’s dog as she fought to protect her little poodle, Coco, who was pulled from her arms.

Florencia Divano was out for her daily walk with her two poodles, Coco and Buddy, on a street in Homestead when the incident happened on September 12.

“I was walking that way and then at the stop sign I crossed the street,” Divano said. “He grabbed his leg and was struggling here. I end up in the grass and struggle. I grab Coco, then the dog keeps pulling, pushing, pulling, pushing and I push him away, try to hit him to let him go.

What followed was a terrifying tug of war between Divano and the attacking dog, who she said quickly zeroed in on her.

“I grab him and hit him; he stops biting my dog, but then he attacks me,” Divano said. “I got about ten bites.”

A Miami-Dade police incident report confirmed she was treated at the scene by firefighters, who dressed her open wounds.

Divano has bite marks on both arms and chest, but the most serious injuries were suffered by Coco, whose leg was left dangling by the skin after both of the dog’s bones were broken.

The incident report from Miami-Dade Animal Services stated that the large male brown terrier mix would have to be quarantined for ten days due to the attack.

Divano attempted to contact the dog’s owners, Eddie and Maria Otero, but received no response.

Community support for medical care

While Divano went to the hospital to receive a tetanus injection and treatment, Coco needed emergency surgery and amputation was a possibility.

Facing veterinary bills estimated at $10,000, Divano feared he wouldn’t be able to afford the treatment.

“I could never have paid so much out of pocket to help my dog, and I didn’t want to sacrifice my dog ​​either,” she said.

Fortunately, the emergency veterinary clinic offered him a solution: contact the South Florida Humane Society.

The nonprofit organization, which operates as a full-service, low-cost veterinary hospital, specializes in helping pet owners facing financial hardship through community donations and grants.

Thanks to their support, Coco received the orthopedic surgery he desperately needed, at no cost to Divano, and the specialist was able to save his leg.

Herman Paredes of the Animal Welfare Society shared the details of the operation: “He put a plate and some screws in, and here is the fracture already corrected. This little bone will grow over time.

Coco’s recovery

As Coco begins his recovery, he will need eight weeks of rest followed by physical therapy.

“He’s fine, he’ll be perfectly fine,” Paredes told Local 10 animal advocate Jacey Birch.

Despite his size, Coco has proven to be a rather courageous dog.

“He wouldn’t let go and my dog ​​bit his nose, and that’s what made him let go of his leg,” Divano said.

In a recent update, Divano shared that Coco is recovering well and is even walking on her newly repaired leg.

Authorities said the dog responsible for the alleged attack has since completed its quarantine period and will need to be cleared by a veterinarian before returning home.

Those wishing to support the Animal Welfare Society of South Florida and other organizations that help animals in need can Click here Or here for more information.