A Nevada woman continues to stand by her longtime canine companion, despite a horrifying attack that left her severely injured.
On January 18, Shayna Crimo, 31, suffered devastating facial injuries when her 11-year-old Catahoula leopard dog, King, bit off her nose in a sudden and unexpected assault.
The tragic incident occurred just days before she was set to say goodbye to her other beloved pet, a nearly 13-year-old pit bull named Krieo, who had been diagnosed with cancer and was scheduled for euthanasia.
In a candid and emotional TikTok video, Crimo recounted the terrifying moment when King latched onto her face, violently shaking her and tearing away most of her nose and upper lip.
A Sudden, Unprovoked Attack
Crimo had just returned home from a paint-and-sip night with friends and was preparing for bed when she leaned in to give King a kiss. Without any warning, he attacked.
“As soon as I went to give him a hug and a kiss, he bit me immediately,” she shared. “There was no growl, no warning, no backing up—nothing. It happened so fast.”
She vividly recalled the feeling of being shaken and, upon seeing her reflection in the bathroom mirror, screaming for her boyfriend to call 911.
Having raised King since he was a puppy, Crimo expressed her shock, emphasizing that he had never exhibited aggression before. However, she did acknowledge that King had a long-standing aversion to being disturbed at night—a boundary she had always respected.
“I know he doesn’t like to be messed with at night,” she explained. “That’s something I’ve understood for almost 11 years, and that’s why nothing like this has ever happened. But this time, he wasn’t lying down. He was sitting up at the edge of the bed, fully alert. There were no warning signs.”
A Long Road to Recovery
Following the attack, Crimo underwent the first of multiple complex reconstructive surgeries, including forehead flap procedures, to restore her nose. Despite the trauma, she was forced to endure another heartbreaking moment just two days later—going through with Krieo’s planned euthanasia.
As for King, she has not yet made the difficult decision to put him down. While she understands the risks, she is emotionally unprepared to say goodbye.
“These dogs grew up with me. I’ve had them for over a decade—they are my children,” she said.
She initially scheduled a euthanasia appointment for King but postponed it, fearing that the emotional toll of saying goodbye could interfere with her recovery.
“I canceled it because I’m not ready. I need time to grieve. I don’t want to cry too much and risk affecting my healing process,” she explained.
Crimo reassured concerned individuals that King is being kept separate from others and that necessary precautions are in place while she processes everything.
Seeking Help for Medical Expenses
In the wake of the attack, Crimo has set up a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the extensive medical procedures she will require, in addition to months of lost income and therapy to cope with the trauma.
“I can’t believe how extreme this all is. My heart is in absolute shambles,” she wrote on the fundraiser page. “Between the cost of euthanasia, multiple surgeries, missing work, and the mental and emotional toll, I feel incredibly helpless.”
She expressed her gratitude for any support, emphasizing that this will be a long and difficult journey.
“This will be a long, long road for me and my loved ones. Anything helps and would be appreciated beyond measure. My heart needs the most healing of all. Prayers, please.”
