Teacher and emotional support dog injured in Oak Cliff dog attack

For nearly three weeks, Stephanie Goolsby and her family dog, Prancer, have remained close to home, avoiding venturing far after what she described as a frightening attack during a routine walk.

“It was just an ordinary day when this happened,” recalled Goolsby.

On the morning of March 12, Goolsby and Prancer were only a few blocks away from home in north Oak Cliff along Cedar Hill Avenue.

“A man pulled up in his truck and asked, ‘Hey, is that your dog?’ When he pulled up, I noticed the large pit bull,” she recounted.

Goolsby said the dog began approaching them, prompting her to start running.

The next thing she knew, she was on the ground, shielding Prancer.

“I wrapped my arms around him. The dog just kept biting me, trying to reach his neck, while Prancer was screaming, and the dog had clamped onto his head and was shaking it. I knew if I let go, he would kill the dog,” she described.

Goolsby held on tightly as the dog dragged them both. Later hospital photos showed bruises, cuts, and road rash she endured before several kind strangers helped pry the dog off.

“Prancer had six stitches in his head, 10 in his ear, two in his throat, and then stitches, staples, and a drain tube on this side,” she detailed.

The injuries were severe, not only for their family pet but also for Prancer, who served as an emotional support animal for Goolsby’s son Tyler, diagnosed with autism.

“He kept saying, ‘Prancer’s hurt. Prancer can’t go out with me. Prancer’s all hurt. Prancer can’t win.’ I reassured him, saying, ‘We’re working on it, Tyler,'” she recounted.

Recovering from two broken ribs, a broken hand, and several stitches forced the kindergarten teacher to take unpaid time off work.

She expressed gratitude to those who contributed to a fundraiser to assist with medical bills for her and Prancer.

Despite the pain and challenges, she’s thankful it wasn’t worse.

“Thank you, God, that it happened to me and not someone who couldn’t defend themselves,” she said.

Goolsby shared that Dallas Animal Services informed her the dog had escaped from a nearby residence, and its owner surrendered it following the attack.

The investigation by Dallas Police remains ongoing.