Update(s) on pits attack on 2 donkeys (Spring Valley, OH: 12/12/24)

I can't even.

I can't even read these updates without tears literally rolling down my cheeks.

Someone posted this story a few days ago, and it grabbed my attention in so many ways: anger at the dogs, yet the story of one donkey protecting the other. I searched for more information on it. I hoped that at some point, there might be a GoFundMe post.

Reading it breaks my heart. Zeb - the donkey who took the brunt of the attack - fought 2 pitbulls for an entire hour! An HOUR. That is so hard to comprehend. So often the videos we see are several minutes. Evidently, the attack was picked up on camera.

Just as disturbing: the two bloodsport dogs live near the site of the attack. Animal control told the owner of the donkeys that the dogs would not be removed from their owner at this point.

Below is text from the GoFundMe if you do not like clicking over to that site.

(Mods, I have removed the names of people in the text below. Please let me know if I need to fix anything.)

From the GFM:
Hello, as many of you know, my friend D's miniature donkeys, Zeb and Elly, were attacked by 2 pit bulls on Dec. 12. Zeb and his sister Ellie have been part of the Spring Valley community since they were babies. They work as counseling support animals with the Spring Valley Global Methodist Church and help many people with their kind, loving, and sensitive natures.

They were in their pasture when the pit bull mixes crawled under a gate at the fence and headed towards Elly. Realizing the danger, Zeb ran in between Elly and the dogs. The dogs then viciously attacked Zeb. Donkeys are well known for their fierce loyalty and protective natures, so this was no surprise.

The pit bulls then ferociously attacked Zeb with the intent to kill.

A member of the church drove by as the attack was happening. He called for help. Another church member witnessing the attack ran into the pasture. One of the dogs had jumped back over the fence, the other had run to a corner of the property.

She returned home as this was happening and ran to Zeb, who was laying in pools of blood from too many wounds to count.

His jaw was hanging by a thread. Bites were down to the bone. His skin was badly abraded from where the dogs tried to drag his body. The vast majority of Zeb's body was covered with bites and deep scratches, but he was alive.

For the next 2.5 hrs, while they waited for the vet to arrive, all Dar and her friends could do was cover Zeb with blankets, wait, and pray. My friend laid in deep pools of blood next to Zeb, holding him, praying for a miracle.

Once the vet arrived, it was clear that the only hope was to transport Zeb to OSU vet hospital.

After the initial evaluation at Ohio State, she was told it would take a "Christmas miracle" for Zeb to survive. He had lost too much blood, had too many serious wounds with a high rate of infection. His trauma was just too severe.

2 days later, Zeb is still alive! He is in critical condition but doing better than they dared hope. They are even talking about a day in the next few weeks when Zeb may be able to come home under close supervision.

The vet bills today are large and growing by the hour. My friend has been advised by the vets that the pit bulls will return once Zeb is home. They will be relentless in their quest to kill him now. This is their nature.

The dogs live near the pasture. Animal control has told her that the dogs will not be removed from the owner at this point.

Funding will be used to cover the many expenses needed to save Zeb, including reinforcing the fencing around the pasture.

Update: 12/15

Part of Zeb's story includes courageous people who driven by love came to his rescue in the pasture.

When a pit bull attacks, it does not stop. Yet, while two of these dogs were tearing Zeb to pieces, people jumped in the pasture to help. C was one. She climbed the fence as Zeb tried to get to her. Zeb had a dislocated shoulder, was lame in one leg, had a dislocated jaw, gaping wounds on his face and body, too many wounds to count, was heavily bleeding in enormous pain, but he still tried to get to the only comfort he could find - one of his human family members.

One of the many miracles of the story, is that one of the attacking dogs ran out of the pasture at this point. The other dog left Zeb, but stayed in the pasture covered in Zeb's blood watching C.
C climbed that fence anyway. D and her husband arrived at the same time, D also climbed that fence. Of course she did. She is his human mom. St ran inside for his weapon. That is a story for another day.

Today, Zeb is defying the odds with his recovery. That he is still alive is the beginning of what we expect to be that Christmas Miracle the AMAZING VETS at The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center
said would be needed.

Keep praying everyone, the next few days are still critical.

Update: 12/16

Christmas Miracle for Zeb update.

Probably due to pain, Zeb is not eating or drinking enough. The vets at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine are not surprised and have started additional treatments including a very costly IV therapy. Also, Zeb is now wearing a compression garment to try and help with the swelling all over his body, it also helps give stability to his jaw and face. Ellie has had to be separated by a fence, because she was constantly pulling on Zeb's dressings, and would get tangled up in the IV lines. They can still see each other, but Zeb is now without the physical contact of his sister.

These are hard developments, but Zeb is a fighter. Security cameras on the property showed much of what happened. They are hard to watch, because they show a story of brutality and cruelty, but they also show a story of great love and courage.

Zeb ran between the attacking dogs and his sister Ellie. He fought off TWO raging pitbulls for almost an HOUR before human help came. The dogs (which are at home with their owners free to do this again) literally tore his body to shreds with the intent to kill.

Zeb did not quit. His heart would not let him, because he had his sister to protect. One of the incredible Ohio State vets told D that she has seen full sized horses attacked by just one dog, not able to fight that long or survive at all.

Zeb fought from a place of love.

The next three to four days will be critical, please keep the prayers and donations coming.

Please keep following and share the updates. Zeb and D have helped so many in our community and beyond and now they need our help.

Take a look at the picture in the comment section of Zeb and one of his vets.
Thank you.