Winter Haven Group Recognizes Women for Their Lifesaving Action

In-Gauge of Polk County, in Winter Haven, Florida recognized two women for their quick and decisive actions that saved the life of a 72-year-old woman, who was being viciously attacked by two pit bull terriers, at its monthly meeting, Tuesday, May 14th.

The incident occurred the evening of April 29th, in Brandon, Florida. While in her kitchen, preparing dinner, Cierra Medina heard screaming coming from the street in front of her house. Looking out the kitchen window, Cierra saw her 72-year-old neighbor on the ground being attacked by two pit bull terriers. One dog biting and tugging at the woman’s left arm the other clamped on to the woman’s right leg, pulling in the opposite direction.

Retrieving her 9mm pistol, Cierra rushed out the front door of her house to the woman’s aid, firing one round into the ground, hoping to frighten the dogs into releasing their grip on the victim. Regrettably, the dogs were undeterred and continued to attack the woman. Attempting to fire another round, Cierra discovered her gun had jammed.

It was then Cierra was joined by Kristy Parks, who lives across the street and also responded to the screams for help. Kristy, armed with a .380 took aim and fired one round, point-blank, into the larger, more aggressive dog’s frontal chest. The dog was unaffected. As the dog turned, pulling backward on the woman’s thigh, Kristy fired a second shot broadside into the dog’s chest. Being struck a second time, the dog broke its grip and backed off. Both dogs stood back growling at the two rescuers.

As Kristy held the dogs at gunpoint, prepared to fire again, Cierra assisted the victim inside a chain-link fence and gate. With all three safely inside the closed gate, Cierra helped the victim into her home where Cierra administered first aid until law enforcement and EMS arrived. The victim was transported to Tampa Regional Hospital Trauma Center for the treatment of her injuries.

Cierra and Kristy were each presented with Citizen Hero Awards, a STOP THE BLEED emergency blood loss control kit and a gift certificate from the Wild West Arms Gun Store, for the replacement of the two guns confiscated by law enforcement as evidence.

It should also be noted the Cierra and Kristy received official STOP THE BLEED training and were certified during the May 14th meeting.

May is National STOP THE BLEED Month. Being a licensed STOP THE BLEED training provider, In-Gauge of Polk County conducts free, open-to-the-public STOP THE BLEED training clinics throughout the year.

* The victim’s name is kept anonymous under Florida’s Marsy’s Law.

Up date: The victim has been released from Tampa Regional Hospital and will remain confined to a wheelchair and has lost mobility of her right arm, due to extensive nerve damage sustained in the dog attack.

The dog owner was issued a fine by Hillsborough County Animal Control, with other charges pending by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.