PHOTOS: Virginia Toddler Hospitalized After Family Dog Attack — Pet Later Euthanized

A 16-month-old Virginia girl is recovering from severe facial injuries after being attacked by her family’s pet dog — an incident that left her hospitalized and in need of multiple surgeries, according to her family.

Carmen McGuire, of Chesapeake, was rushed to Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters (CHKD) in Norfolk after the attack on Monday, September 22. Her mother, Alette McGuire, said she was driving home from work when she received a frantic call from her fiancé, who told her their dog, Miguel, had bitten their daughter.

“I don’t even want to imagine the images he has of the situation,” McGuire told 13NewsNow, adding that her fiancé believed Carmen may have startled the dog before the attack. He tried to protect her until help arrived, she said.

Carmen underwent emergency plastic surgery that night to repair deep wounds to her face, according to her family member Alfred McGuire, who created a GoFundMe to help cover medical expenses.

“Carmen is out of surgery and already home resting in her own bed tonight,” Alfred wrote in an update posted on Friday, October 17. “The surgeon didn’t have to do any skin grafts because her wound is healing so beautifully — such a blessing!”

While Carmen’s recovery is progressing, doctors have said she will need a third surgery to fully repair the damage. Alette shared that their insurance did not cover the first two procedures, and the medical bills are already piling up.

“Thanks to the quick actions of the CHKD medical staff and surgeons, Carmen is on the road to recovery — but the emotional and financial toll is heavy,” Alfred wrote on the fundraiser page. “She will need continued follow-up visits and specialized care to help her heal both physically and emotionally.”

The GoFundMe campaign, which has raised more than $29,000, describes Carmen as “such a light in our lives — always smiling, dancing, and bringing joy to everyone around her.” It adds that she has shown “incredible bravery” but still faces a long road ahead.

Sadly, Chesapeake Animal Control confirmed that Miguel, the family’s dog, was euthanized due to the severity of the attack, Alette told the outlet.

Now that Carmen is home, her mother says the little girl often looks for the pet she once called “doggy.”

“In the past, he’d be in his kennel, and she would walk to where his kennel was and go, ‘doggy,’” McGuire said. “The first few times she did that after the incident, we just broke down because she looked so confused — like, wait, hold on, he’s not here.”

Doctors have told the family that while Carmen will be left with scars, they expect her to make a full recovery.