Girl, 5, Almost Lost Her Hand in Brutal Dog Attack, Father Injured Saving Her Life: ‘A Terrifying Ordeal’

A 5-year-old girl was airlifted to a larger hospital and underwent emergency surgery after a dog attack left her with devastating injuries — and her father was also hurt while stepping in to protect her.

The incident happened Monday, Jan. 5, according to a GoFundMe created by the girl’s aunt, Sizakele Irvin, on behalf of the family.

“Monday night, my 5-year-old niece Jazz experienced something no child should ever have to face. She was attacked by a dog, and in the chaos, her father Phil bravely intervened to save her, suffering bites himself,” Irvin wrote on the fundraising page.

Irvin said Jazz’s injuries were so severe that she was transported by air to a hospital several towns away, where surgeons performed emergency vascular surgery.

“The injuries to Jazz were so severe that she was airlifted to a larger hospital several towns away, where she underwent emergency vascular surgery. Her surgery team was ultimately able to save her hand, which was nearly lost in the attack,” she wrote.

Irvin added that surgeons used a vein from Jazz’s leg to restore blood flow to her hand during the procedure.

“This has been a terrifying and life-changing ordeal for Jazz and her family,” Irvin wrote, adding that the recovery ahead includes medical expenses, therapy, and time off work for Jazz’s mother to care for her. “These costs are overwhelming, and the emotional toll is just as heavy.”

As of Friday, Jan. 16, the fundraiser had raised $11,415 toward a goal of $24,000.

Irvin also shared the fundraiser on Instagram and encouraged others to spread the word.

“Sharing the fundraiser helps tremendously too!” she wrote in the post’s caption, alongside a photo with Jazz taken earlier.