Man in hospital after dog attack

HEALDTON, Okla. (KXII)-- A Healdton man has been in a Oklahoma City Hospital for 10 days, following a dog attack that almost caused him to lose an arm.

"I was scared, that I thought I wasn't going to make it." Victim Curtis Smith said.

Smith was walking to his town's library when he was attacked by three pit bulls.

"One got behind me, one got in front of me. The other one surrounded me," Smith said. "and then pretty much its all a blur after that, except I kept hollering for help."

The attack continued until a passerby jumped from his truck with a shovel and shooed the dogs away.

"There isn't enough words to put there." Smith said, expressing his gratitude.

The victim's mother, Cheryl Knight, was grateful as well.

"I can't express how much I appreciate him stopping and helping him, and being there when I couldn't have. And saving his life." Knight said.

He was taken to an Oklahoma City hospital, where trauma doctors originally thought he would lose his right arm and both hands.

Smith has undergone four surgeries, and expects more. For now his arm and hands have been saved.

"I keep thanking these trauma doctors up here, because they saved my son's arm and his life." Knight said.

Smith doesn't blame the breed of dog, he blames the owner.

"It's not the dog's fault, it's the owner's fault. If they treat the dogs right, they're going to be good dogs." Smith said.

And Knight agrees.

"I own a pit bull. I own a petite pit, and she's the most loving-est dog I've had in my whole life." Knight said.

They want charges pressed against the owner. Knight pleads for other owners to take care of their dogs.

"Make them love other people, and not want to attack other people or animals. I can't stress it enough." Knight said.