Rhianna Kidd has had more than 100 stitches
Ten-year-old Dundee girl Rhianna Kidd, who was attacked by two rottweilers, has more than 100 stitches in her wounds, her mother has revealed.
Rhianna Kidd.
- By Marjory Inglis
- Published in the Courier : 04.09.10
- Published online : 04.09.10 @ 10.16am
Lisa Grady said she will add her voice to the campaign for better control of dangerous dogs but, for now, her priority is her daughter's welfare.
St Clements Primary School pupil Rhianna has not been able to eat solid foods since she was mauled last Sunday because her jaw was broken and has been pinned together.
She also has painful wounds in her arm, leg and on her face and neck.
Twelve stitches were removed from Rhianna's face yesterday, a painful process for the girl, but many others will be left to dissolve after they have done their job.
"She has got an awful lot of stitches," said Lisa.
"I don't know how many exactly but it is in the hundreds."
She said her daughter would not be allowed home until she put on a bit more weight and was able to eat better.
Rhianna has been unable to eat solid food since the attack.
"She has been given antibiotics which have made her feel a bit sick and when she gets home will depend on her eating.
"They are trying to get as many calories as possible into her.
"She was quite a skinny wee thing anyway, small for her age, but now because she can't open her jaw, she can't really chew anything.
"All she's getting is soups, yoghurts and nutritional shakes."
Physiotherapy
Rhianna has also been getting physiotherapy while in Ninewells Hospital in a bid to get back the function of her leg that was badly injured in the attack.
"It is quite painful for her to put all her weight on her bad leg and just getting out of bed is quite difficult for her," said Lisa.
"Eventually they are hoping to get her to go up and down a few stairs but she has not been able to do that yet."
Rhianna is sleeping better after the intravenous lines delivering her medication were removed on Thursday night and she is now being given painkillers orally.
"She is not getting woken up by beeping machines and medicines being changed over now," said Lisa.
Describing her daughter as "a bit perkier" yesterday, Lisa said she was being inundated with cards and presents from all over Britain, and has been sent flowers and a teddy from a couple in America whose own daughter had been attacked by dogs.
Lisa has also spoken briefly on the phone to Veronica Lynch, whose daughter Kellie was attacked and killed by two rottweilers in 1989, sparking a high-profile campaign that led to
legislation for the control of dangerous dogs.
"We are hoping to do something together but have not planned anything," said Lisa.
"I know she campaigned for a long time and nothing has really changed.
"I will be adding another voice to that. Things have to change at some point because obviously it (the legislation) has not worked so far.
"Another voice can't hurt and we will maybe do something together but at the moment my priority is Rhianna."
Lisa and Rhianna's father Neil Kidd visited St Clements and spoke to the head teacher, class teacher and pupils in her class.
"I think the whole school have been making Get Well cards and I have said I will go back and pick them up," Lisa added.
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