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Lakeland Electric worker feared for her life during dog attack

Published  February 14, 2017 11:46pm EST
News
FOX 35 Orlando
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LAKELAND (FOX 13) - Bandages cover more than a dozen vicious bites on Linda Dionne's arms and legs, the result of two pit bulls with bloodlust. 

The Lakeland Electric field service representative was cutting off the electricity to a home due to non-payment Monday afternoon when she was attacked by two dogs. She says the dogs on the property seemed welcoming at first, but quickly turned violent.

"I really thought I the dogs were going to kill me. I really did," Dionne said."They knocked me down and grabbed my tool bag. As I was getting up, I knew that at that point that I couldn't get back to the truck."

Dionne says the female dog lunged at her from the front, while the male dog skirted behind her and attacked. She radioed in for help. Thankfully, Polk County Sheriff's Deputy Matt Dennis wasn't far from the East Lakeland home.

RELATED: Deputies kill dog that attacked Lakeland Electric worker

At least one of the dogs had been in trouble before - labeled a "dangerous dog" after an attack in 2016.

Florida has strict laws when it comes to dangerous dogs.

"The law requires you have visible signs posted at all entry signs of your property for children and adults to see that clearly state you have a dangerous dog on the property," said Pam Back with the Humane Society of Tampa Bay.

The law also requires the dog be safely secured, have up-to-date rabies vaccines and permanent identification. It must also be registered yearly.

Michael Smith, of Tampa, told FOX 13 News about his son's pit bull, Kembo. The dog was labeled "dangerous" 10 years ago, after it jumped over a fence to attack a woman.

"It cost my son 1000s of dollars. His dog is on a lifetime parole," Smith explained. 

Meanwhile, Dionne is happy she escaped with her life.

"I've never been so scared in my whole life," she said.

Dionne says she plans on returning to her job as soon as possible. In the meantime, she has a number of doctors appointments and will have to see an orthopedic surgeon for the most severe bite.