Introduction
On December 23, 2021, 22-year-old Jacqueline “Jackie” Durand suffered serious injuries after being attacked by two dogs she was dogsitting in Copperas Cove, Texas. Durand, a Texas college student, was watching the dogs, which had previously been owned by her friends. During the attack, Durand sustained severe lacerations to her face and body. She was airlifted to a trauma center in Temple, Texas where she underwent multiple reconstructive surgeries.
The Attack
The vicious attack on Jacqueline Durand occurred on December 23, 2021 in Coppell, Texas while she was house-sitting and caring for two dogs (The Sun). Durand was immediately attacked when she opened the door to let the dogs out into the backyard. The two dogs, later identified as a shepherd mix and a pit bull mix, delivered over 800 bites to Durand’s face, arms, legs, and body in just a couple of minutes (McCraw Law Group).
The brutal attack left Durand with devastating injuries, including a severed ear, broken bones, puncture wounds, missing flesh, and severe trauma. She was rushed to the hospital in critical condition where she underwent multiple reconstructive surgeries over the next year. Doctors had to use skin and tissue from other parts of her body to rebuild her face. Despite the reconstructive surgeries, Durand was left permanently disfigured.
The Dogs
The dogs that attacked Jacqueline Durand were a mix-breed German Shepherd named “Bender” and a Pit Bull named “Lucy.” According to the lawsuit filed by Durand, Bender weighed 85 pounds and Lucy weighed 65 pounds.
Bender was owned by Ashley Bishop, Durand’s friend and roommate who was renting a room in Durand’s home. Bishop had owned Bender for 9 years since adopting him as a puppy. Lucy belonged to Bishop’s boyfriend, Justin Bishop, who did not live at the home but would visit frequently with Lucy.
According to the lawsuit, Ashley Bishop’s dogs were known to be aggressive. Neighbors had complained multiple times to animal control about the dogs acting aggressively and running loose. Durand was not aware of the dogs’ history of aggression when she allowed Ashley Bishop to move into her home with Bender.
Aftermath
After the brutal attack, the dogs – a mixed breed named Bender and a pit bull named Lucy – were taken into custody by Fort Worth Animal Control. According to the lawsuit filed by Durand, the dogs were voluntarily euthanized a few days later at the recommendation of Animal Control (source).
The owners of the dogs, Bishop and his wife Natasha, are facing legal consequences for the attack. Durand filed a lawsuit against them seeking over $1 million in damages, claiming they were negligent in failing to warn her about the dogs’ dangerous propensities. The lawsuit alleges the Bishops were aware of prior incidents where the dogs had behaved aggressively (source).
Dog Attack Statistics
There are millions of dog bites every year. According to Dog Attack Statistics By Breed In 2023, pit bulls are responsible for the most fatal attacks in the U.S. by far, killing 284 people over that 13-year period – 66 percent of total fatalities. Rottweilers come in second with 45 fatal attacks, followed by German shepherds with 20.
Overall, the combination of pit bulls, Rottweilers, and German shepherds accounted for around 77 percent of the fatal dog bites in the U.S. between 2005-2017. Other dog breeds were responsible for far fewer attacks and fatalities, like the Labrador Retriever, which killed 9 people over that 13-year span.
According to By Breed, Fatal Dog Bites, and States With The Highest …, pit bulls were responsible for 185 of the 339 reported dog bite-related fatalities in the United States between 2005 and 2017. Pit bull mixes accounted for an additional 41 deaths.
Dog Bite Statistics by Breed also compiles data on dog bites by breed. Between 2005-2017, the 10 dog breeds with the most bite-related fatalities were:
- Pit bulls – 284 deaths
- Rottweilers – 45 deaths
- German shepherds – 20 deaths
- Mixed breeds – 17 deaths
- American bulldog – 15 deaths
- Mastiff/Bullmastiff – 14 deaths
- Husky – 13 deaths
- Unknown, unreleased, unclear – 11 deaths
- Labrador retriever – 9 deaths
- Boxer – 8 deaths
Preventing Dog Attacks
There are several tips that can help you avoid dog attacks when encountering strange or aggressive dogs:
- Stay as calm as possible – don’t make sudden movements or run, as this can trigger a dog’s prey drive.
- Use a firm, authoritative voice when giving commands like “no” or “go home”.
- Stand still and upright, facing the dog – don’t turn your back or lie down, as this can appear threatening.
- Avoid direct eye contact, which can seem challenging to some dogs.
- Be quiet and avoid screaming, as this can overly excite the dog.
- If knocked down, curl up in a ball with your fists over your ears and remain motionless. Try not to panic.
- Carry a whistle or citronella spray, which may deter aggressive dogs.
It’s also important to be aware of a dog’s body language. Signs of an aggressive or threatened dog include hair standing up, teeth baring, growling, and a stiffened body. If you notice these signs, remain calm and back away slowly without turning your back to the dog.
By understanding dog behavior and taking precautions, you can often prevent an attack from an unfamiliar dog.
Dog Attack First Aid
If you are bitten by a dog, the most important first step is to treat the wound. Start by washing the bite carefully with soap and water to lower the risk of infection. Apply an antibiotic ointment and cover the wound with a sterile bandage or clean cloth. According to Mayo Clinic, it is important to seek prompt medical attention if the bite has broken the skin, especially if it is deep, you can’t stop the bleeding, or there are any signs of infection like redness, swelling, warmth, pus or red streaks (source).
The healthcare provider will clean and examine the wound, and may prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection. Tetanus shots are often recommended after an animal bite since they can contain bacteria that causes tetanus. Some bites may need stitches if they are large, deep, or gaping. Bite wounds on the face, hands, or genitals can be especially concerning due to infection risk, and may need prompt medical intervention (source).
It is crucial to seek emergency medical care if the bite causes extreme pain, heavy bleeding, or immobility of any body part. Any signs of infection like fever, increasing pain and swelling, red streaks, pus, foul-smell, or swollen lymph nodes also warrant immediate emergency care. Children, elderly, and those with weakened immune systems may be at higher risk for complications from dog bites.
Recovery
Jacqueline Durand’s recovery process has been extremely difficult both physically and emotionally. She has undergone over 20 reconstructive surgeries to repair the damage to her face and nose from the dog attack in 2021 (source). Reconstructive surgeries are often long and painful, requiring extensive healing time. Durand has shown incredible strength and resilience throughout the many medical procedures.
The attack has greatly impacted Durand’s life. She has been left permanently disfigured and suffers from PTSD from the traumatic event. Her ability to breathe, see, and hear has been impaired due to the injuries to her face. She also faces large medical bills from the many surgeries needed to repair the damage. Mentally and emotionally, recovering from such a horrific attack has undoubtedly been extremely difficult. Durand has had to learn to accept her new appearance and rebuild her life. Her road to recovery is ongoing as she continues to undergo medical treatments.
Takeaways
There are several key lessons that can be learned from this tragic dog attack:
First, be cautious around unfamiliar dogs, even if they seem friendly. According to the AVMA, it’s important to use proper judgement and move slowly when interacting with dogs you don’t know. Ask permission from the owner before petting or playing with their dog.
It’s also vital to watch for signs of aggression in dogs, such as growling, bared teeth, stiff body posture, or staring. If a dog is displaying these behaviors, move away slowly without making direct eye contact.
Additionally, be very careful around dogs that are chained or penned, as they may feel defensive of their territory. The National Humane Education Society advises against chaining dogs in yards.
When it comes to prevention, early obedience training and positive reinforcement are key, according to dog experts. Teaching dogs basic commands like “sit,” “come,” and “stay” can curtail aggressive tendencies.
If you are ever attacked by a dog, try to remain calm. Don’t scream or run, which may provoke the dog to chase you. If you have an object like a purse, use it to shield yourself. Call for help if others are nearby.
Following simple precautions like these can help prevent tragic dog attacks and keep both people and pets safe.
Conclusion
In this article, we examined the details surrounding the dog attack on Jacqueline Durand. We looked at where and when the attack occurred, the breed of dogs involved, and the extensive injuries Durand sustained. We also discussed the euthanization of the dogs, Durand’s long road to recovery, and some of the potential factors that may have led to the attack.
Dog attacks can sometimes be prevented through proper training, socialization, containment, and monitoring of warning signs. However, they can also happen quite suddenly, even with dogs that have never shown aggression. This serves as an important reminder to use caution around unfamiliar dogs and to take steps to avoid high-risk situations. If attacked, try to remain calm, protect your head and neck, and call for help. With medical care and time, recovery is possible.
The takeaway is that dog attacks, although rare, can happen to anyone. Understanding dog behavior, being vigilant about supervision, and knowing what to do in an emergency can help promote safety. While tragic, Jacqueline Durand’s story also highlights the incredible resilience of human beings.