Woman, Whose Face Was Torn Off by 2 Dogs, Shares Candid Update 4 Years After the Horrific Attack

Jacqueline Durand, who was 22 and studying at the University of Texas at Dallas when she was brutally attacked while pet sitting in December 2021, is offering an unfiltered update years later.

Durand had been hired to care for a German Shepherd and a pit bull—two dogs she’d met before and believed were safe—when they attacked as she entered the home.

A GoFundMe created after the incident said Durand endured hundreds of bites across her body, with the most catastrophic injuries to her face. She lost her ears, nose and lips and sustained severe jaw damage. (Durand was scheduled for her 30th surgery—her most recent—on Jan. 10.)

Last month, Durand posted a video marking the four-year anniversary of the attack, using the moment to reflect on both survival and growth.

“It is officially four years of survival to the day,” she said in the YouTube clip.

“Crazy that I have survived four years of this,” she continued, adding that she is “so, so grateful” for who she has become since the attack.

While she emphasized she would never choose to relive what happened, Durand said the experience has reshaped her mental strength.

“Not that I would ever say that I wanted to go through this. But I will say I am stronger than I have ever been mentally because I’ve had to overcome so much,” she explained.

She noted that the past year, in particular, brought “a lot of change”—some difficult, some positive—but said the overriding feeling is gratitude.

“Some hard, some good. But overall, it’s just been being grateful for being here. I mean, I don’t know what else to say on a day like this,” she said.

Durand shared that the first anniversaries were especially painful because she found herself replaying the trauma. More recently, she’s tried to approach the milestone differently—by focusing on the people around her and the fact that she’s still here.

“I focused on distracting myself, being surrounded by those who love me the most and just focusing on the fact that I survived, the fact that I’m still here, the fact that I’m a part of this,” she said.

She also recalled how close she came to dying, saying doctors revived her multiple times after the attack.

“I was saved four times,” Durand said.

“Literally, I was knocking on heaven’s door, and I was revived four times. And it’s then four years. I think it’s my golden anniversary. You know how they have a golden birthday? I think it’s my golden anniversary,” she added with a laugh.

Durand ended her message by thanking those who’ve supported her through the long recovery—and by extending that support outward to anyone struggling.

“I want you to know that I’m here for you, no matter where you are in this world, whatever you’ve been through, I’m here. And just like how you’ve been here, I am here for you,” she said.

“You are not alone,” Durand continued. “If you feel alone, I understand, I get it. Even if you have a community, there are times that you just get all in your head, and you feel like you’re lonely, ’cause they don’t understand … And I’m here to say, as much as I can relate, I’m here.”

“Here’s to the next four years,” she added.