A pregnant woman in Tacoma, Washington, was forced into early labor and sustained significant injuries after intervening in an attack on her chihuahua by two dogs. The incident occurred on Thursday, July 1, 2026, around 11:05 a.m. in the 4000 block of Puget Sound Avenue.
Renee Wilson was reportedly carrying her baby's car seat to her vehicle when she observed two dogs charging at her chihuahua, Katie. Wilson stepped between the dogs and her pet to protect Katie. During the altercation, the dogs turned their aggression towards Wilson, biting her arm and then her abdomen.
Wilson recounted that one of the dogs dragged her to the ground by her hair while the attack continued. She screamed for help, and neighbors responded, with one man approaching with a broom and another woman intervening despite their fear of the animals. Wilson told reporters that she informed the dogs' owner of her pregnancy during the attack and pleaded for assistance.
Following the assault, emergency medical services transported Wilson to a local hospital. She was later transferred to Tacoma General Hospital, where she was in stable condition and undergoing treatment for her injuries and an infection. Doctors ultimately induced labor, and her son, Armani, was born unharmed.
Wilson is expected to remain hospitalized until she can walk again and is free of infection. She expressed loneliness and a longing to be with her newborn son.
Police identified the dogs as an American pit bull terrier and an American bully. Authorities stated the animals had escaped through a known broken fence board at their owners' property. Tacoma Animal Control impounded the dogs, where they are currently undergoing a standard 10-day quarantine. Animal control officers have designated both dogs as dangerous.
The owners have a 10-day window to appeal the dangerous animal designation before a judge. If the ruling is upheld, the dogs could face euthanasia. The owners cooperated with law enforcement at the scene and are facing misdemeanor charges for failing to license the dogs and allowing them to run at large, with total fines amounting to $2,000.
Wilson indicated her intention to file a civil lawsuit against the dogs' owners. According to an online fundraiser, Wilson was due to give birth on the same day as the attack before doctors induced labor.