Story By: Feza Uzay, Sub-Editor: Marija Stojkoska, Agency: Newsflash
A four-year-old girl who was brutally attacked by pit bulls and has been suffering with facial paralysis ever since will undergo an op to have her nerves repaired.
Asiye Ates, 4, the daughter of a building caretaker, was attacked and seriously injured by two pit bulls belonging to five people in an apartment complex in the district of Sahinbey in the Turkish province of Gaziantep on 22nd December 2021.
The footage, which was filmed by a local resident and shared on Twitter, where it has gone viral with 2.1 million views, shows one of the dogs attacking the girl as the other is restrained by passersby.
A man eventually manages to pull away the limp girl, who is seen covered in blood, as the cameraperson is heard shouting: “Call an ambulance, someone should call an ambulance.”
The Gaziantep Governor’s Office said the girl suffered serious injuries to her head and throat and was taken to a hospital in a life-threatening condition, where she is currently receiving treatment for her injuries.
Professor Ozlenen Ozkan, who took part in the girl’s treatment, said: “Unfortunately, she has facial paralysis. There are a few nerves going to the face. Some of those nerves were damaged. We’re planning facial nerve repair for Asiye later this week.”
Professor Ozkan stated that the girl’s recovery will take around a year and added: “There is not only nerve surgery, but also other operations pending. We will try to get a more natural appearance of the scalp. There will be other surgeries needed as well.”
Following the incident, the Governor’s Office stated that the two dogs involved in the incident were handed over to the Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Animal Rehabilitation Centre by the Nature Conservation and National Parks Branch Directorate.
Six people, including the security guard of the building complex and the owners of the dogs, all unnamed, were taken into custody.
The Governor’s Office said: “The judicial and administrative process continues, and our office will follow up the treatment and wellbeing of the injured child.”
It is currently unclear if the dogs have been put down.
