Help Needed to Pay Medical Bills after Dog Attack

On the night of March 14, 2023 Marissa was driving home on 5400 South. She pulled over because there were two dogs running back and forth in the middle of the street. She got out of her car to see if they had tags so that she could notify the owner. The dogs ran up to her and were friendly at first. She patted them on the head and said, “Good doogys!” The dogs didn’t have collars and Marissa started to return to her car, but when she backed away the dogs started biting her shoes. Then the dogs went into full on attack mode, attacking her feet, legs and arms; biting her butt; and attacking her right side. The dogs knocked Marissa to the ground, grabbed her by the head, and started dragging her. A UTA bus driver saw Marissa being attacked, pulled over to the side of the road, opened the door on the bus, and distracted the dogs long enough that they let go of Marissa and she was able to get inside the bus. The dogs then attacked the bus, repeatedly trying to get in the door, jumping onto the hood, and ripping off one of the windshield wipers. After emergency responders contained the dogs, Marissa was able to drive several blocks to her apartment where she went into shock and an ambulance was called that took her to the IMC emergency room. Marissa has severe wounds and bruises on the front, right side, and back of her abdomen; right side of her butt; left arm; and both legs and ankles. She also has bite marks and puncture wounds on her hands, legs, arms, and thighs. Marissa’s family and friends set up this account in hopes of raising funds to help pay for ambulance costs, medical bills, and counseling services. On March 22, 2023 the Utah Transit Authority is honoring the bus driver as a community hero for saving Marissa’s life.

Here are a few pictures of Marissa’s wounds.