Foley Pit Bull Attack Leaves Woman With Five Surgeries; Dogs’ Owner Charged

FOLEY, Ala. — A Foley woman says she has undergone five surgeries and carries more than 100 staples after a Foley pit bull attack on Sept. 20 in which four dogs mauled her, leaving wounds so deep she could see bone. The dogs’ owner, Nikeyl Jones, has been charged with one felony count under Alabama’s dangerous dog law and one misdemeanor count of reckless endangerment.

Tausha Bullard said she expects to need at least three more procedures and that paramedics had to resuscitate her after the attack. Jones is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court; the charges are accusations.

What Bullard says happened in the Foley pit bull attack

Bullard said she had recently moved into the Foley home and thought she heard someone at the front door. When she opened it, she said, dogs that were inside the home attacked her.

According to Bullard, four dogs took part in the attack, tearing away flesh and leaving wounds so severe that bone was visible.

“They almost shredded me to pieces,” Bullard said.

“I was screaming for dear life,” she said.

Bullard said she later learned that paramedics had to resuscitate her at the scene.

“I saw death, like black before my eyes, and I mean, it was horrible,” she said.

Five surgeries, more than 100 staples

In the roughly two weeks since the attack, Bullard said, she has undergone five surgeries and has more than 100 staples. She expects at least three more procedures.

“They’re all open wounds,” Bullard said.

Her attorney, Bill Eiland, described the injuries as the worst he has encountered.

“I have never seen injuries to the level of what she has undergone,” Eiland said.

Eiland said Bullard will live with the effects of the attack for the rest of her life.

Police: owner fled instead of calling 911

According to Foley police, Jones pulled the dogs off Bullard after the attack. But instead of rendering aid or calling 911, police said, Jones fled. A neighbor called for help.

The criminal complaint filed in the case alleges that Jones knew the dogs were dangerous and showed reckless disregard that led to “an unprovoked attack” on Bullard.

The charges

• Dangerous dog (felony): one count.
• Reckless endangerment (misdemeanor): one count.

Reckless endangerment under Alabama law generally involves recklessly engaging in conduct that creates a substantial risk of serious physical injury to another person. Alabama’s dangerous dog law, commonly known as Emily’s Law, was passed in 2018 and allows criminal charges against owners of dogs that seriously injure or kill people, particularly when the owner knew of a dog’s dangerous tendencies.

No information has been released about a court date, bond, or whether Jones has an attorney who could respond to the allegations.

A prior attack on a man near the home

Bullard said she did not know the dogs had a history of aggression. Eiland said he has since learned of previous incidents involving the animals.

“Apparently, these dogs have caused a lot of harm and a lot of injuries to the community,” Eiland said.

Foley police confirmed one previous attack. According to police, one of the dogs bit a man on the road near the home and injured him. Police have not released further details about that earlier incident, including when it happened or whether any action was taken afterward.

What happened to the dogs

Police described what has happened to five dogs since the attack:

• Two dogs were killed at the scene.
• Two dogs were later euthanized by court order.
• A fifth dog, a puppy that police say was not involved in the attack, is undergoing a behavioral assessment.

The outcome of the puppy’s assessment has not been announced.

Lasting trauma

Beyond her physical injuries, Bullard said she is struggling with the emotional aftermath of the attack.

“I’m very terrified of dogs. Very terrified of dogs. And I mean, I’m to the point to where anxiety attacks, I have them, if I was to see a dog, and I mean, it’s it’s horrible,” Bullard said.

An online fundraiser has been set up to help pay for Bullard’s medical expenses.

What we know and what we don’t know yet

What we know

• The attack happened Sept. 20 at a home in Foley.
• Bullard says four dogs attacked her; police say two were killed at the scene and two were later euthanized by court order.
• Nikeyl Jones, the dogs’ owner, is charged with one felony dangerous dog count and one misdemeanor reckless endangerment count.
• Police say Jones pulled the dogs off Bullard but left without rendering aid or calling 911, and a neighbor called for help.
• Police confirm one earlier incident in which one of the dogs bit and injured a man on the road near the home.

What we don’t know yet

• When Jones will appear in court or how Jones will plead.
• Whether any civil action will be filed on Bullard’s behalf.
• Details of the earlier bite incident and whether it was formally reported or investigated at the time.
• The results of the puppy’s behavioral assessment.

How the case moves forward

In Alabama, felony cases typically begin with an initial appearance, where a judge reviews bond and the defendant is informed of the charges. A felony charge may later be presented to a grand jury, which decides whether there is enough evidence to issue an indictment and send the case to trial in circuit court. Misdemeanor charges are generally handled in district or municipal court, though related charges may be resolved together.

Defendants can enter pleas, negotiate with prosecutors, or take their cases to trial. Until then, Jones is presumed innocent.

Dog bite safety reminders

The attack is the latest in a series of serious dog attacks reported in the region in recent weeks, including an attack on a senior during a morning walk in Mobile County and a loose dog that attacked a family pet in Spanish Fort.

Animal safety experts generally advise residents to report aggressive or loose dogs to local animal control or police, to avoid approaching unfamiliar dogs, and to call 911 immediately if someone is attacked. Anyone with information about dangerous animals in Foley can contact the Foley Police Department.