Jessica R. Richardson helped to rescue Brandon M. Robbins from an attacking dog, Belleville, Illinois, March 27, 1998. Brandon, 7, was in the back yard of the house where he and his family were visiting when a large, male, pit bull dog exited the residence and began to attack him. His mother immediately responded and attempted to shield him. A neighbor, Ms. Richardson, 44, balance clerk, heard screaming and barking; she looked outside and saw the dog atop Brandon. Taking a piece of wood with her, Ms. Richardson ran to the scene and struck the dog, causing it to cease its attack on Brandon, who was then taken to safety by his mother. The dog then turned on Ms. Richardson and took her to the ground, where it bit her repeatedly about the arms and hands. Ms. Richardson regained her footing and backed up to a fence bordering the property, the dog pursuing her. Others put a chair over the fence, and when Ms. Richardson stepped onto it, they pulled her over the fence to safety. Brandon was hospitalized for treatment of bite wounds, which required surgery. Ms. Richardson was also hospitalized; detained three days, she too required surgery, for multiple bites to both arms that resulted in nerve damage.
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