San Tan Valley, Ariz. — A local mother is recovering from a severe attack by a mastiff that left her hospitalized, urging other pet owners to recognize the unpredictable nature of even seemingly friendly dogs.
Cara Newell had been caring for Odin, a five-year-old mastiff, for about a month before the horrific incident last Friday night. Despite Odin’s gentle demeanor during that time, Newell’s life changed dramatically in an instant, highlighting the potential dangers lurking beneath a dog’s calm exterior.
“It’s something I never thought would happen to me,” Newell said, recalling the chaos of that night. Earlier in the evening, she had been enjoying the dog’s company, with Odin sleeping next to her on the bed and lounging on the couch. Even their family pets, Malibu and Korra, had gotten along well with him, displaying no signs of concern prior to the attack.
However, tensions escalated when Newell noticed her two dogs engaged in a fight. In a frantic bid to restore order, she tried to separate them while her children pleaded for help. The chaos opened the door, quite literally, for a violent encounter that Newell could not have anticipated.
“In a split second, he came toward me silently, and I wasn’t prepared,” she said. Odin attacked, biting her back, jaw, and arm, and inflicting serious injuries, including tearing part of her ear. Her children, trying desperately to intervene, faced their own struggle.
“My kids rushed to find any available device to call 911, but none responded in time,” she recalled, fighting through her injuries with the overwhelming instinct to protect her children. “I cannot die in front of my kids. I needed to get this dog off me.”
Thanks to her children’s bravery, they pulled Odin away just enough for Newell to escape further harm. Emergency responders rushed her to the hospital, where she underwent extensive reconstructive surgery the following morning.
“It’s a true test of patience and a reminder of how fragile life is,” she said, reflecting on her recovery.
Newell believes the attack may have stemmed from the previous dog fight, speculating that Odin’s behavior shifted when he entered the room. “If those two weren’t fighting, he would have walked in wagging his tail, just as he always did. It’s a stark reminder that you should never intervene in dog fights.”
Her children, aged 7 and 8, are grappling with the trauma of the event and will likely require therapy, which Newell fears they will need for a long time. “They witnessed something horrific, with an animal they loved harming me,” she said.
In the aftermath of the attack, Newell has developed a deep-seated fear of large dogs and expressed doubts about owning one again. She is also advocating for families to ensure their smart home devices are equipped to call emergency services if needed.
In response to the attack, Pinal County Animal Care and Control has taken action regarding Odin. The dog has been impounded and is currently under a mandatory quarantine period following the serious incident. According to officials, Odin’s owner relinquished him, and due to the attack’s severity, he will not be made available for adoption after his quarantine ends, with plans for humane euthanasia in place.
To aid with medical expenses and lost wages from her time away from work, Newell’s family has organized a fundraiser, focusing on both recovery and raising awareness about the unpredictable behavior of dogs, no matter how gentle they may appear.