An Oregon teacher and father of two sustained severe injuries after being attacked by two off-leash pit bulls in Salem on November 2. Shawn Jung, 36, was running in Riverfront Park when the dogs, whose owner reportedly watched the attack unfold, set upon him.
Jung's family described the attack in a GoFundMe campaign, stating he suffered lacerations and bites across his body, with particularly severe injuries to his hands, including "pulverized bones" in his left hand. He was left bleeding by the riverfront until a passerby stopped to help and took him to the hospital.
Despite the severity of the attack, Jung's family expressed anger that the Salem Police Department has taken no action against the owner or her dogs. They stated that the owner "will not be held responsible" for the incident, a stance that has drawn criticism on social media. Podcast host Venessa Hunt accused the police department of "endangering more citizens by not doing anything," suggesting the issue lies with leadership.
Jung faces a long recovery period, including multiple surgeries and extensive physical and occupational therapy to regain the use of his hands. His inability to use his hands for the foreseeable future means he cannot return to his job as an elementary school physical education teacher. The family is facing significant financial strain due to medical bills, lost wages, and deductibles, compounded by the upcoming holiday season.
The Salem Riverfront Park area where the attack occurred is known as a hotspot for homelessness, and has been subject to multiple sweeps in recent months. The Daily Mail has contacted the Salem Police Department for comment regarding their response to the incident.