Six-year-old Lily Norton of Chesterville, Maine, underwent a 12-hour surgery after suffering severe wounds to her face as a result of a pit bull attack on Saturday. According to the GoFundMe campaign established on her behalf, Lily received more than 1,000 stitches from below her eyes to her chin and will require additional surgeries.
Lily’s mother, Dorothy Norton, told News Center Maine that the attack occurred while Lily was at a friend’s house. The friend had gone to get cards when the dog attacked. Dorothy said that Lily has told her that she doesn’t hate all dogs, just the one who attacked her.
The GoFundMe campaign, which has raised more than $71,000 in donations, states that the Norton family will have to travel from Maine to Boston for Lily’s care in the future. Officer Dexter “Buzz” Bridges, the animal control officer for the town of Chesterville, told The Sun Journal that the attack is still under investigation.
Lily is currently in the Intensive Care Unit at Boston Children’s Hospital where she is sedated and has a breathing tube in place. Doctors have said that she will not be able to smile again due to the damage to her muscles.
“Her salivary glands aren’t working … and doctors said she won’t be able to smile again,” CJ Pitcher, who helped create the fundraiser, told The Sun Journal. “Muscles are too damaged.”
The GoFund Me campaign stated, “They will be enduring a lot of traveling in the future years to come from Maine to Boston for their daughter’s care. We are asking for any and all help we can get for this family and help them ease some of the expenses that this terrible tragedy put them in.”
The attack has caused shock and sadness throughout the small town. Friends and family are rallying around the Nortons to support them through this difficult time. The GoFundMe page has been shared in support and has received donations from people all over the world.
