A mother from Tennessee has undergone a life-altering amputation after a brutal attack by her own family dog left her leg horrifically mangled and "hanging on by a thread".
A Vicious Attack During a Dog Fight
Amanda Mears, a 42-year-old healthcare member service advisor from Murfreesboro, faced an impossible choice after intervening in a fight between her two dogs on 10 December 2025. Her dog Dennis, a mix of American Pitbull and American Staffordshire Terrier, turned on her, seizing her left leg in his jaws and refusing to let go.
"I got in between them, and that's when Dennis latched on to my leg," Amanda recounted. To free herself from the animal's grip, she was forced to use her right leg and arms to choke him until he released. The attack also resulted in a bitten left hand and a crushed bone in her right arm, injuries she barely noticed due to the adrenaline.
The Heartbreaking Decision: Amputation and Euthanasia
Rushed to hospital following a frantic 911 call, Amanda's journey was complicated by severe blood loss, forcing paramedics to make an emergency stop to secure a blood unit. At a Nashville hospital, surgeons stabilised her leg with rods before presenting her with a grim ultimatum.
She could attempt to save the limb through an estimated 12 surgeries over two years, with no guarantee of success and a life of constant pain, or opt for amputation. Recognising that virtually nothing viable remained of her leg, Amanda chose amputation for a chance at a quicker recovery. A few days later, her left leg was amputated below the knee.
In a parallel, painful decision, Amanda also chose to have Dennis, the dog she had raised from two weeks old, euthanised. "It was a decision that hurt, but it was not a difficult decision," she stated, prioritising the safety of her 10-year-old son.
Recovery and Life After the Trauma
Following a 10-day hospital stay, Amanda is now home, navigating life in a wheelchair. She experiences phantom limb sensations, feeling an urge to flex an ankle or scratch a toe that is no longer there. Her son, mother, and friends have been pivotal in supporting her recovery.
A dedicated dog enthusiast who owns four pets and often takes in rescues, Amanda noted that Dennis had never shown aggression before. The fight erupted with Ralphie, a rescued American Bully, over a cup three weeks prior, prompting Amanda to keep them separated. On the morning of the attack, Ralphie had escaped his room, triggering the fatal confrontation.
To help manage the overwhelming medical costs from this traumatic incident, Amanda has set up a GoFundMe page to seek financial support from the public.
