PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A mother is fighting for her life after being brutally attacked by a pack of dogs last week.
KOIN 6 News spoke with close friends of Mytoka Petry, who was attacked by at least eight dogs in North Portland on July 15. Petry is now in the intensive care unit and may remain there for months as she's suffered from serious, life-altering injuries.
Petry has lost an arm and nearly lost her eye in the attack. She remains at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center as those close to her say they want justice for the horrific incident that unfolded near North Columbia Boulevard close to a homeless camp in broad daylight.
"Nobody should have to be subjected to that or be at the point of almost losing their life because they are out for a walk," said Julana Torres, a close friend of Petry.
Torres said she was "in utter shock" when she first heard the news of the attack.
"I couldn't like even say anything I just...speechless because it just didn't even seem real," she said.
The Portland Police Bureau said that on the morning of the attack, two other people tried to stop it from happening and were also bitten. One of the bystanders was taken to the hospital with serious injuries while the other suffered only minor injuries. Petry was rushed to the hospital and remains there to this day.
"This is a member of our community, Portland native, a mother of two girls, who has served her community," Torres said. "She was a nurse. She's a caretaker. She's a loving person. And what has happened to her is just absolutely horrendous."
At the ICU, Petry's two daughters have remained by her side as doctors have treated her. She's so far lost an arm. Physicians are currently working to save her eye and treat other wounds all over her body, Torres said.
"Somebody has to be accountable," said Kristine Rebber, another close friend of Petry. "This is tragic. There's no reason that she should not have been able to be out there."
Police said no arrests have been made in the case. After the attack, Multnomah County Animal Services took custody of the eight dogs during the investigation.
Rebber said that while Petry is "stable" and that those in her circle are feeling "hopeful," they've also "been told it's a really long road."
"She may be in the ICU for months. And right now there's so much room for infection or other complications that she's not out of the woods," Rebber said.
Torres said Petry is finding her inner strength from being a mom.
"She's fighting for her kids. That's what her daughter said. She said as soon as she came up was, 'my babies.' That's you know, that's what's in her head and what's keeping her going."
Petry's family has set up a GoFundMe page to help with hospital expenses.
