In a harrowing incident, 32-year-old Shayna from Reno, Nevada, suffered a devastating injury after being bitten on the face by her pet dog, King. The shocking event, which resulted in the loss of the tip of her nose, will be featured in an upcoming episode of TLC’s series, *ER: Caught on Camera*.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/ER-Caught-on-Camera-Dog-Bite-Nose-092226-57db10c59db34ad1ac5942f450609a61.jpg)
The alarming episode begins with a seemingly innocent moment. After an enjoyable night out with friends, Shayna returned home to find her boyfriend and King both asleep in bed. As she leaned in to give King a kiss, the unexpected occurred—he bit her face, causing appalling damage. In a preview provided by PEOPLE, Shayna recounts, “Everything happened within the snap of a finger.”
In her recollection of the traumatic moment, she recalls feeling no pain initially. Shayna said, “When he bit, I screamed, and he let go and ran away immediately. I looked at myself and I just screamed.” The severity of the injury was immediately apparent; she realised that the tip of her nose was gone. In the midst of shock, she instructed her boyfriend to call for emergency help. “The whole accident, I think, happened in a matter of maybe 30 seconds. It was super quick,” she added.
Dr. J Mack Slaughter, an emergency medicine physician featured in the clip, sheds light on the prevalence of dog bites in emergency situations. He notes that dog bites are among the most frequent cases seen in the ER. “I see them almost every shift,” he explains. According to Dr. Slaughter, while stray dogs can be a risk, the majority of dog bites involve familiar dogs—often belonging to the victim or their friends.
Following the incident, Shayna was transported to the emergency room in an ambulance. Upon arrival, medical staff began urgent treatment to mitigate the risk of infection. Given the locations of her injuries, medical professionals were notably concerned about the bacteria that could be introduced from the dog’s mouth. “You are introducing all of the bacteria from the dog’s oral flora, or the bacteria that’s floating around in their saliva,” Dr. Slaughter cautioned. This is particularly concerning given the potential for severe infections following bites in sensitive areas such as the face.
The treatment process was extensive; Shayna spent nine hours in the emergency room, during which time doctors treated her injuries and monitored her condition before consulting with a plastic and reconstructive surgeon regarding her healing options. The journey to recovery would be long and complex.
The emotional toll of the incident is evident, not only in Shayna’s physical scars but also in her psychological response to such a traumatic experience. The bond between a pet and their owner can often feel unbreakable, but moments such as these highlight the unpredictable nature of animals and the importance of caution in interactions, especially when emotions run high.
Viewers will have the opportunity to witness Shayna’s ordeal and her resilience in the face of life-altering circumstances when the new episode of *ER: Caught on Camera* airs on Wednesday, 23rd September, at 9 p.m. Eastern Time on TLC. Her story serves as a potent reminder of the potential dangers of pet ownership, sparking discussions about safety and the unpredictable behaviours of dogs.
As Shayna contemplates her recovery, her experience not only sheds light on the reality of animal bites but also humanises the often-overlooked aspect of medical trauma, making her journey one that resonates with a wide audience. With support from medical professionals and loved ones, her path to healing will undoubtedly be followed closely by many.