Brooklinn Khoury was 22 years old when a dog she had known for years suddenly attacked her without warning. She had been chatting with her cousin when the family pit bull lunged at her face, biting her mouth and nose and refusing to let go.
Brooklinn could barely understand what was happening. All she could see were the dog’s teeth as it clamped onto her face. She desperately tried to push the animal away, but the attack continued for almost a minute.
When she finally managed to get the dog off her, something felt strangely different. A cold rush of air passed through her nose and mouth, but she was still in shock and had not yet realized the extent of her injuries.
Her cousin, however, immediately saw the damage.
Brooklinn reached for her phone and opened the camera to see her reflection. What she saw was horrifying. Her face was covered in blood, and a large portion of her upper lip and part of her nose were gone.
She was rushed to the hospital after losing a significant amount of blood. When she arrived, medical staff asked her to cover her face because of the severity of her injuries. In that moment, Brooklinn realized that surviving the attack would only be the beginning of an extremely difficult recovery.
Her injuries left her without much of the upper lip she depended on for basic functions such as eating and speaking. For months, she had to protect the exposed areas of her face with gauze and masks while searching for a surgeon capable of performing the complicated reconstruction she needed.
Nearly a year after the attack, in November 2021, Brooklinn finally found the doctor who could help her.
Her first reconstructive operation was an incredibly complex procedure. Surgeons removed nerves, an artery and a section of skin from one of her arms and transferred the tissue to her face. They then connected the arteries, veins and nerves to the new tissue in an attempt to rebuild her upper lip.
The operation lasted approximately 20 hours and carried significant risks, but it was successful.
Brooklinn’s recovery did not end with that single procedure. She ultimately underwent seven surgeries as doctors worked to reconstruct her face and restore as much function as possible.
Her story also sparked a wider discussion about pit bulls and dog attacks. Critics of the breed point to statistics showing that pit bulls are involved in a significant number of severe and fatal attacks, while organizations such as the ASPCA argue that dogs identified as pit bulls can also be gentle, affectionate pets.
The history of pit bull type dogs is complicated. Their ancestors were bred in the United Kingdom for activities including bull baiting, while later generations were used in dog fighting and other forms of animal combat. However, the behavior of an individual dog is influenced by many factors, including breeding, training, socialization and how it is treated by its owner.
Some research has also suggested that people who choose aggressive dog breeds may be more likely to have histories of violent behavior themselves, raising questions about whether the environment created by owners can contribute to the reputation of certain breeds.
Whatever the cause of an individual attack, Brooklinn’s experience demonstrated that familiarity does not eliminate risk. A dog that has been around a family for years can still behave unpredictably, and owners have a responsibility to recognize warning signs and maintain appropriate control.
After the attack, authorities determined that the dog involved should be euthanized.
Brooklinn, meanwhile, refused to allow the experience to define her life. After years of painful recovery and multiple surgeries, she continued pursuing an active lifestyle and sharing her journey online.
She returned to activities she loved, including surfing, and began encouraging others to feel confident about their bodies regardless of their appearance.
The attack permanently changed Brooklinn’s life, but it did not take away her determination to live it. She remains a dog lover, although she has acknowledged that she will always be more cautious around pit bulls.
Her story is a reminder that responsible pet ownership means respecting the power and unpredictability of animals, even those we know and love. Familiarity can create trust, but it should never replace caution.
