9-Year-Old Girl Suffers Severe Facial Injuries in Vicious Dog Attack

On November 7, 2025, a 9-year-old girl named Delyla McCay from Hanceville, Alabama, was viciously attacked by a dog while sitting outside her family's apartment. Delyla and her 13-year-old sister, McKenzie, were waiting for their father when a child walked by with a blue heeler on a leash. The dog suddenly sunk its teeth into Delyla's face, refusing to let go.

The child holding the leash dropped it in fear, and a nearby teenager intervened to help get the dog off Delyla. However, the dog quickly returned and bit Delyla on the back. Delyla's mother, Katie McCay, described the horrific scene, saying, "McKenzie said afterwards, everybody was just screaming. Delyla actually wasn't screaming. She was in shock."

The attack left Delyla with severe injuries, including a detached top lip, dozens of stitches to her nose, mouth, and cheeks, and additional stitches on her back and other parts of her body. She was airlifted to a children's hospital and will need to undergo plastic surgery. Delyla's family has set up a GoFundMe page to help cover the medical expenses.

The dog responsible for the attack has been euthanized, and tests revealed it had not received all of its required vaccinations, meaning Delyla has had to receive rabies vaccines and other treatment. The incident is still under investigation by Cullman County Animal Services.