KINGFIELD — A Stratton woman is recuperating at her home after an experience with a dog that bit her Thursday, Aug. 26 leaving her with 150 stitches in her left arm.

Cheri Rivers said she had taken her cat to Dr. Benson, who owns the Carrabassett Veterinary Service in Kingfield on Route 27, drove in and went to knock at the door when she was met by three dogs. One, a large black one, attacked her sending her to the ground.

“When the dog came at me,” said Rivers, “I put up my arms to protect my face.” The dog bit her in the muscle of her left arm and dug into her shoulder.

Rivers called her husband, Jack, and 911 but because the ambulance was on its way to the hospital, she had to wait for an ambulance from Rangeley.

River’s husband arrived and took her to Franklin Memorial Hospital where she was seen by Dr. Joseph Caldwell, an orthopedic surgeon who performed surgery and told Rivers she had very severe soft tissue damage.

Rivers prays she won’t have to undergo plastic surgery.

In the meantime, the cat ran away and was later found at the clinic; family members picked it up Sunday night.

The dog constable in Kingfield was called but was unable to make any contact with the Bensons. The State Police were called and everyone was assured that the dog is quarantined and would be put away.

“It’s been a terrible year,” said Rivers who has lost 11 family members, including a nephew Cpl. Josh Bernard of New Portland killed in Afghanistan.

“And the worst part is, I have two new grand babies, Alexis Marie born June 18 and Brody Michael born June 22 and I can’t even hold them,” said Rivers.