FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – An animal control officer, Martina Bernard, remains hospitalized after a vicious dog attack left her with severe injuries in Fort Lauderdale. Friends have described Bernard as an “animal whisperer,” highlighting the shock and disbelief surrounding the incident.
Bernard was conducting a routine welfare check on an American Staffordshire terrier mix when the situation turned violent. The attack occurred near Southwest 14th Terrace and Southwest 7th Street on a Thursday evening. Witnesses reported hearing Bernard’s desperate cries for help as she was mauled by the dog.
Gregory Campbell and his mother, who live nearby, rushed to Bernard’s aid. Initially attempting to use a shovel to fend off the dog, Campbell resorted to using a knife when the shovel proved ineffective. “The dog saw me coming with the knife and attacked me,” Campbell stated, recounting the chaotic moments. His mother joined the effort, using her body weight to subdue the dog until authorities arrived.
The police responded promptly, securing the scene and removing the aggressive dog, which was later euthanized. The attack left Bernard with multiple injuries, including bites to her scalp, ear, and body, requiring nearly a thousand stitches.
Primrose Thompson, a close friend of Bernard, expressed her disbelief at the incident, noting Bernard’s exceptional rapport with animals. “Tina is amazing with animals,” Thompson said. “To see this happen to her, we’re all in shock.”
Broward County Animal Care has launched an investigation into the attack. Meanwhile, a GoFundMe campaign has been organized to assist with Bernard’s mounting medical expenses, as she faces a long road to recovery.
The incident underscores the unpredictable nature of working with animals, even for experienced professionals like Bernard. As she recuperates at Broward Health Medical Center, her community rallies around her, hoping for a swift and full recovery.