SURGEON: 'I WAS SHAKEN' BITES FROM PIT BULL ARE WORST DOCTOR HAD SEEN.

Byline: Susan Abram Staff Writer

MISSION HILLS - The surgeon who repaired the badly damaged right arm of a Quartz Hill woman mauled by a neighbor's pit bull dog said he has never seen such injuries in 20 years of practice.

Before sheriff's deputies shot the dog to death, it bit 47-year-old Kimberly Beatrice on both arms and her neck, deputies said. It was still biting the woman's arm when it was hit by the first bullets, fired at close range.

``It takes quite a lot to impress me,'' trauma surgeon Dr. Charles Chidsey said at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center, where the woman is hospitalized. ``I was shaken by what I saw when she came in.''

Beatrice's son and daughter-in-law, Danny and Annie Blair, appeared at a hospital news conference Thursday and told reporters they are grateful to doctors and the sheriff's deputies who saved her.

Beatrice was described by Annie Blair as a kind mother and grandmother.

``No one deserves a tragedy like this to happen to them, especially when it could have been prevented,'' Annie Blair said.

Sheriff's deputies are continuing to investigate the attack before prosecutors decide whether to file criminal charges against the dog's owner, who has not been identified publicly.

``The case is still under investigation. We can't say much right now but I'm hoping to have everything wrapped up by (afternoon today),'' sheriff's Det. Kevin Turrill said.

Beatrice underwent seven hours of surgery to save her right arm, Chidsey said.

Chidsey said much of Beatrice's skin and muscle tissue in her right arm was torn away. Her left arm was damaged as well, though not as extensively. Doctors worked to reattach muscle and reconstruct her skin tissue.

``We were able to repair a majority of the injuries,'' he said. ``There's more surgery needed.''

Beatrice will likely undergo more surgery at UCLA Medical Center, where doctors will work to reconnect nerves to improve circulation in her arms. In addition, doctors remain concerned about the risk of infection, caused by dirt that entered when the pit bull rolled her around on the ground.

Beatrice's family has set up a special ``Kimberly Beatrice Medical Fund'' through Bank of America to help pay for medical expenses. People can ask at any Bank of America branch to make a donation.

Chidsey described Beatrice's mental state as ``very good for someone who has been through what she has been through,'' though Chidsey said she has suffered from nightmares.

The attack occurred about 7 p.m. Monday as Beatrice was in front of her home in the 4700 block of West Avenue L-14, described as a normally quiet street lined with homes with large lots.

The pit bull's owner called 911 after hearing Beatrice screaming for help and tried to get the dog off by hitting and prying at it with a broom but with no success, according to Quartz Hill Town Council President Ed Frommer.

When deputies Steve Owen and Steve Gross got there, they found the pit bull standing over Beatrice, biting on her arm. Beatrice was covered in blood and still trying to fight off the animal. Torn clothing was strewn around a 50-foot area, witnesses said.

Owen fired four shots from a 9 mm Beretta pistol at the dog. The dog fell but then got back up and started moving toward Beatrice again. Gross then fired a shot from a shotgun, killing the animal.

Susan Abram, [phone]

susan.abram(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- ran in AV edition only) Trauma surgeon Dr. Charles Chidsey talks about the injuries of Kimberly Beatrice, who was mauled by a pit bull Monday night in Quartz Hill and is recovering at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center.

(2 -- ran in AV edition only) Annie Blair, flanked by her husband Danny, talks about the recovery of family member Kimberly Beatrice, mauled by a pit bull Monday. She's being treated at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center, and faces more surgery on her arms.

Andy Holzman/Staff Photographer