A mother from Tennessee has made the agonising decision to have her left leg amputated after a brutal attack by her own family dog left the limb catastrophically injured.
The Vicious Attack That Changed Everything
Amanda Mears, a 42-year-old healthcare advisor from Murfreesboro, was attempting to break up a fight between her two dogs on the morning of 10 December 2025. Her dog Dennis, a mix of American Pitbull and American Staffordshire Terrier, suddenly 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 and would not let go," Amanda recounted. To free herself, she was forced to use her other leg and arms to choke the animal until he released his grip. The attack was so severe she described her leg as "hanging on by a thread".
A Heart-Wrenching Decision for Recovery
Rushed to hospital in Nashville following a dramatic ambulance journey where paramedics had to divert for a blood transfusion, Amanda faced a stark choice from surgeons. They presented her with an ultimatum: attempt to save the mangled limb through a series of 12 complex surgeries over two years, or opt for amputation below the knee.
"I decided to have my leg amputated because to save my leg I'd have had to have 12 more surgeries over the next two years and I would be in constant pain," Amanda explained. Recognising the extent of the damage and prioritising a swifter recovery, she chose amputation. The procedure was carried out a few days after the attack.
Prioritising Safety and Facing the Aftermath
In the wake of the incident, Amanda made another painful decision. To ensure the safety of her 10-year-old son, she chose to have Dennis, the dog she had raised from just two weeks old, euthanised. "It was a decision that hurt, but it was not a difficult decision," she said, emphasising her son's safety was paramount.
Amanda, a dedicated dog enthusiast who owns four dogs and often takes in rescues, noted that Dennis had never shown aggression before. The fight erupted with another of her dogs, Ralphie, an American Bully rescue. Remarkably, she believes Ralphie's refusal to fight back during the attack saved his own life.
Now back home after a 10-day hospital stay, Amanda is mobilising with a wheelchair and receiving support from her son, mother, and friends. She has set up a GoFundMe page to help cover her mounting medical expenses. She also described the surreal experience of phantom limb sensations, feeling an itch in a toe that is no longer there.
