WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — Kimberly Thompson, a Winter Haven foster mom, was seriously injured after a pit bull placed with her by Rescue Paws attacked inside her home, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. Her 6-year-old daughter called 911 during the mauling, and deputies say Thompson needs surgery for wounds to her arms. SPCA Florida humane official Randa Richter weighed in on foster safety and cautioned about rushed introductions between new animals and household pets.
The attack unfolded within a day of the dog arriving at Thompson’s home. Deputies say Thompson picked up the pit bull on Monday night, and by Tuesday her household dogs were barking, which startled the foster dog. That reaction escalated quickly into a full attack on Thompson that left her bleeding and in need of medical care.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office released a statement describing the sequence of events in stark detail: “Kimberly’s personal family dogs began barking, and it startled the pit bull. The pit bull began barking and began jumping at Kimberly and attacking her. Kimberly stated the dog originally jumped on her chest and then began biting her arms and tearing her skin.” Those words come directly from the agency’s account of the call and the scene deputies found.
During the emergency call, the terror in the home is audible in a child’s voice. “She really got bit. A lot. There’s blood everywhere,” the girl tells dispatchers while trying to relay what is happening to her mother. The child, just six years old, stayed on the line while first responders were headed to the residence, and her call helped get aid to Thompson as quickly as possible.
After assessing the situation, deputies confirmed the pit bull will be euthanized, though they have not said exactly when that will occur. Officials have not released a history of the dog prior to placement, and it remains unclear whether Rescue Paws flagged any behavioral concerns before sending the animal to Winter Haven. The decision to euthanize reflects the severity of the injuries and the risk the dog was judged to pose.
Randa Richter, SPCA Florida’s Humane Programs and Public Media Director, urged caution for anyone fostering or adopting animals. “Just letting them run your house initially with your kids or with your animals is setting them up for failure because they don’t know this new environment. They don’t know the behaviors, and so it’s not giving your animals the best chance to be the best they could,” said Richter. Her advice is to keep new animals separated and to make introductions slowly over seven to 10 days.
That measured approach is about protecting the whole household — people and pets — while a new animal adjusts. Slow introductions give you a chance to watch for fear, resource guarding, or reactivity that might not show up in a short meet-and-greet. Foster programs often recommend a calm, neutral space and supervised, gradual interactions to avoid surprises like what happened in Winter Haven.
Thompson’s family has been forced to pivot toward recovery and fundraising after the attack. She faces surgery and a recovery period for the wounds to her arms, and relatives say they have set up a fundraiser to help pay mounting medical bills. Neighbors and community members in Polk County have expressed concern and support for the family as they navigate treatment and therapy.
Rescue groups are now under scrutiny whenever a foster placement ends in an incident like this, and Rescue Paws will likely be asked how the dog was evaluated and transported. Questions include whether volunteers completed behavior checks, what documentation accompanied the dog, and if there were prior signs of aggression. Transparency about those processes can help other potential foster parents make informed decisions.
The Winter Haven case is a chilling reminder that even experienced pet lovers can be caught off guard when bringing a new animal into their home. It also highlights the extra vulnerability of children in those situations; a young witness often becomes the first responder in a household emergency. For anyone taking in a foster or adopted pet, the message is clear: slow down, separate new animals at first, and plan controlled introductions to reduce risk.
Local animal welfare groups continue to promote strong screening and education for fosters and adopters to limit dangerous encounters. Polk County deputies maintain their investigation into the circumstances, and officials have confirmed their immediate actions to secure the scene and care for the injured. As Thompson recovers, the community watches for answers about how a short stay with a rescue dog turned into a life-changing emergency.
