July 27, 2021- 11:35 a.m.
Noiah, 13, suffered serious injuries (pictured) after being attacked by his neighbor’s dog in Rolla, Missouri
A 13-year-old teenager was attacked by a neighbor’s dog who jumped on him twice, tearing his face and neck open while delivering cupcakes to his friend after his mother’s gender reveal party in March.
The violent attack happened while Noah was outside his neighbor’s house in Rolla, Missouri, when – after delivering the cupcakes – the pit bull broke free from the chain and plunged on him in the front yard, and on Noah’s 12-year-old sister in the front.
Noah’s pregnant mother Julia Poland (33), stepfather Beau Logan (43) and the dog’s owner managed to pull the dog away from Noah, but within seconds he managed to break free again and carry out a second brutal attack.
Noah was carried into the house and soon paramedics arrived to take Noah to a children’s hospital in Saint Louis – 90 minutes away.
Tara Stone, 34, who hosted the gender reveal party, drove her sister Julia to the hospital where they saw Noah – his head wrapped in a bandage and blood on the floor – before being admitted for emergency surgery.
Afraid of what was happening, Noah asked, “Am I going to die?” but was comforted by Tara and his mother who assured him that all would be well.
Doctors revealed that Noah’s throat, arteries and larynx were exposed during the attack and that tissue, skin and muscles were pulled from his face. The dog also ripped out Noah’s spit gland and broke his jaw.
Noah, 13, lies on a hospital bed while being intubated after being seriously injured in the life-threatening dog attack. Noah’s throat, arteries and larynx were exposed during the attack and tissue, skin and muscles were ripped from his face
Since the attack, Noah has had four surgeries to clean and stabilize the area, remap the nerves and arteries, and reconstruct his face using a skin graft and muscle tissue from his femur and nerves from his leg. Left: Noah in the hospital. Right: before the attack
Due to Covid-19, Tara said only her sister Julia and her partner Noah had been able to visit during his two and a half weeks in the pediatric ICU.
After undergoing the first four surgeries, Noah is now healing at home before returning to the hospital for further treatment later this year.
Fortunately, the family has had the support of their local community, which has been invaluable, but they have also found a lot of support online.
Because she wanted to do everything she could to help her sister and nephew, Tara founded a GoFundMe campaign who has raised over $40,000 to date to help Noah recover.
“For now, Noah is home trying to find his new normal. He does virtual school until he can heal better and build the confidence to return. It won’t be this school year or maybe even the next, but we’ll take it day by day – celebrate the small wins.
“People who cheer him on have been a game changer. Trauma will manifest differently in different people and his mother has been given advice on that and how to prepare.
“I didn’t know what to expect from GoFundMe. I just didn’t want the family to worry about the finances of Noah’s healing.
“It has surpassed my original goal and people have sent cards and gifts, offered their homes to stay near the hospital, and other dog attack survivors have reached out.
Churches, the school and community businesses have asked how they can help. We are strong in our faith and Noah is on many prayer lists.
“There’s been a lot of discussion about dog breeds related to Noah’s story, but I don’t want to lose sight of what’s important.
“Noah is a sweet boy. He helps his elderly neighbors and constantly hugs his family. He offers help around the house and always works hard.
