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8th October 2022
04:53pm BST

Kirstie Jane Bennard, husband Colby with five-month-old, Hollace Dean, and two-year-old, Lilly Jane[/caption]
The two dogs involved, Cheech and Mia, were put down. They were said to have been a part of the family for more than eight years without a violent incident.
"I can promise you those children were her (Kirstie's) world, and if there was any inkling of danger, she would have never had those dogs near her kids," Kirstie's best friend, Kelsey Canfield, told Fox News Digital.
"Those children were everything to them, and they just have a really long journey ahead."
Canfield added: "That attack lasted longer than any one of us could have ever imagined."
The children's dad, Colby Bennard, wasn't home at the time of the incident. In a Facebook post, he had previously referred to the couple's pets as "house lions."
[caption id="attachment_362535" align="alignnone" width="1276"]
The dogs, Cheech and Mia, were a part of the family for more than eight years and were said to have never been violent[/caption]
An update posted by Jeff Gibson, Colby's uncle, reads: "As of yet there are no funeral arrangements for the kids.
"Kirstey is still in the hospital with an uncountable amount of stitches and bite marks over her entire body including her face.
"Both arms and legs are bandaged/wrapped up completely. As of now it looks like there isn’t any permanent damage other than a heart that will never heal. Kirstey is a f*****g hero!"
Local police said the dogs attacked the children, and later their mother, around 3.30pm on Thursday.
"Shelby County Fire paramedics transported the mother in critical condition to Regional One Health. This remains an active investigation."
https://twitter.com/ShelbyTNSheriff/status/1577854346309550081
Kirstie's condition is said to have since stabilised.
In the wake of the tragedy, fake fundraisers were set up, trying to take advantage of the incident.
Gibson said: "Unfortunately not only are we having to deal with this tragic loss, we are also having to deal with the vultures that would make money off another person’s tragedy."
A legitimate fundraiser has been set up by a family friend and endorsed by Gibson.
Organiser Debbie Harvey said: "The money will be given directly to them to use as they see fit in whatever they need.
Please find it in your heart to donate if you feel led. And always continue to pray for them daily to make it through this unbelievable tragedy for the family. They are so loved in this community and we need to step up to support them."
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