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Dog attack survivor speaking out as Cape Canaveral cracks down on loose dogs in the city

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Published  January 7, 2025 8:48pm EST
Brevard County
FOX 35 Orlando

Raising fines to reduce dog attacks in Brevard County

In this FOX 35 Exclusive Reporter Esther Bower talks to the victim of a brutal dog attack in Brevard County as the county looks into raising fines for those walking around with unleashed dogs.

The Brief

    • Mary Scibona, injured in a dog attack on Cape Canaveral beach, speaks out to raise awareness about public safety.
    • The City of Cape Canaveral plans to enforce stricter dog leash laws after the attack, with a focus on preventing similar incidents.
    • Scibona, still recovering from severe injuries, credits her partner for saving her life but doubts she’ll ever walk on the beach again.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - A woman who survived a dog attack on the Space Coast is speaking out for the first time in a FOX 35 News exclusive.  

Mary Scibona is sounding the alarm on public safety as city leaders in Cape Canaveral try to prevent another attack. 

Scibona was hospitalized back in November after she was allegedly mauled by an American bulldog on the beach. Months later, she’s still in therapy and isn’t sure she’ll ever walk the beach again. 

Since the attack, the City of Cape Canaveral has had a discussion on the issue during a recent city council meeting. In 2025, local leaders are committing to stricter enforcement of the laws regarding out-of-control dogs. 

Scibona says she’s sharing her story to spread awareness about what happened, so people can be alert. 

"All I could sense was pain. I couldn’t sense anything around me," said the survivor, recounting the terrifying ordeal. 

The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office says a 100-pound American bulldog attacked her on Harbor Drive while she was walking on the Cape Canaveral beach. The dog's owner was cited and fined for the incident. Mary was hospitalized for three days with severe lacerations on her arm and legs. Months later, she's still recovering. 

"We’re doing lots of range of motion and strength and working with my therapist to help my brain recover," said Mary. 

She’s traumatized and concerned about public safety as city leaders try to crack down on people breaking the law.

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"You have to control your animals," said city council member Don Willis, who spearheaded the community discussion on laws regarding leashed dogs. He wants people to know: owners must have their dogs on a leash when out in public. 

Willis says the city is now working with deputies to increase enforcement if people’s dogs aren’t leashed or if they’re brought to the beach.

"You wouldn't want to happen to you what might happen to others," said Willis. 

Mary will never forget what happened to her and is grateful she's still alive.

"My leg was just shredded. There were bits and pieces of my flesh outside of my body, all over my shorts, just chunks of my flesh," she said. "I think it would have killed me."

She credits her partner, Kim, who she was walking with during the attack, for saving her life. He pulled the dog off her as fast as he could. 

Unfortunately, because of the vicious attack, she isn’t sure she’ll ever walk on the beach again. 

"I just loved the beach and now, I don't know that it’s for me now," she concluded. 

In 2025, the city plans to reach out to private apartments and condos with direct beach access. They want to get more signs up, so renters know the rules and dogs don’t end up on the beach. 

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The Source: This story was written based on information shared by personal account of dog attack survivor Mary Scibona, the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, Cape Canaveral City Council Member Don Willis.

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