CNN
Lakewood, WA - Michaela Lee says one of the reasons she lives in Lakewood is the trail to Fort Steilacoom Park.
Here the birds sing and there are about 10 raccoons. She always thought they were cute. Yesterday two of the raccoons scampered up this tree. Her dog, Maddy, broke free and headed for them. Michaela followed and three other raccoons charged.
"I didn't think they were going to attack me, I thought they were just trying to chase me off, you know, their tree."
They attacked. All five attacked. Michaela has 100 scratches and 16 puncture wounds.
"They bit me all the way up here, they scratched and bit so hard that it is bruised all the way underneath and they tore away big chunks of skin."
These are pictures taken after the attack. Neighbors heard Michaela screaming for help.
"I've never seen anything like it. It was horrible to watch."
The attack ended when Maddy bared her teeth and growled. Michaela calls her hero dog but she worries about others. She estimates 50 people use the trail every day.
If it were anyone who was less athletic or able to get up I'm worried that it could have been fatal.
As for Michaela, she tells me she'll continue her daily walks. But at the insistence of her boyfriend she'll carry pepper spray.
KOMO via CNN Newssource