Dog survives vicious attack at Linda Vista park

An 11-year-old yellow Labrador Retriever named Duke underwent a third surgery on Friday to save its life after a vicious dog attack that happened at a Linda Vista park in the early evening of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Duke’s owner is hoping someone can identify the dog that attacked them both and the man who lost control of it.

Morgan Edgar and Duke are inseparable. She’s had him since he was a puppy and she was just 19 years old.

“I’ve just experienced so much life with him and this incident that happened was unprovoked and not fair. It just isn’t his time to go,“ Edgar said.

Over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, Duke was attacked, ambushed, you might say, from behind. His wounds were so deep he had emergency surgery just to stop the bleeding.

Morgan was also bitten on the arm.  

“My heart has been shattered into a million pieces,” Edgar said.

Morgan was walking Duke at Mission Heights Neighborhood Park near Mission Valley. She says a long-haired German Shepherd viciously attacked Morgan and Duke. She said afterward, the dog’s owner wouldn’t answer questions or identify himself. He left Duke severely injured and Morgan traumatized, Edgar said.

“The German Shepherd was so large and aggressive. He just said we weren’t hurt and that I was fine then he refused to call 9-1-1,” Edgar said.

Duke is not yet out of the woods. He has an infection, and the wound is covered but remains open.

Because he’s 11 years old, Morgan says it’s been suggested she put him down.

“He has such high, good, spirits that putting him down just because he was attacked, I can’t do it,” Edgar said.

Recovery will be long struggle for both of them.

Morgan’s wish is that Duke lives long enough for the two to enjoy life again together.

A friend started an online fundraiser for Duke’s recovery. At last check, contributions were more than $5,100.