Watch CBS News

Haverhill Grandmother Protects Granddaughter When Dogs Attack

HAVERHILL (CBS) -- A Haverhill grandmother was just out for a walk when out of nowhere two dogs ran straight at a baby. The woman and her friend took the brunt of the attack.

Laurie Adams says the attack was quick but frightening. "They were just charging and chomping and chomping."

Adams was passing a home on Western Avenue when they spotted the two German shepherds. "We saw the dogs coming at us. They were coming toward the baby."

"They were running around us in circles and biting our legs, and then they started pulling our arms away from the carriage."

WBZ-TV's Diana Perez reports.

Adams says they were trying to get to her granddaughter, Avery. The dogs bit Adams' right leg six times, leaving bruises and a gash.

"We were yelling help and just screaming at the top of our lungs," says Laurie. "All I see is blood, a hunk of my flesh sitting on top of my sneaker. It was just horrifying."

Luckily Avery wasn't hurt in the attack; Adams says it was her and her friend's quick thinking that saved her one-year-old grand daughter.

"They were running around us and biting us while we were protecting her. I put the hood up and protected her."

The dogs were visiting the home on Western Ave. They weren't on a leash or fenced in.

Laurie ended up in the emergency room and had to go back when her bites got infected. The April 15th attack is also keeping her inside these days, "I'm scared to death to go for a walk with my granddaughter because I'm afraid another dog might come out and bite me or attack her."

Adams is suing the dogs' owner, dog sitter and owner of the property. She's also calling on Haverhill to impose steeper penalties for people who disobey its leash law and let their dogs roam loose.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.