EXCLUSIVE My 'perfect' family dog mauled my nose off after health condition turned him into a savage READ MORE: The dog breeds at the highest risk of dying from cancer Warning: Story includes graphic photos By Cassidy Morrison Senior Health Reporter For Dailymail.Com Published: 04:15 BST, 8 October 2024 | Updated: 04:15 BST, 8 October 2024 e-mail View comments Korinne Mortensen of Salt Lake City, Utah , was relaxing with her dog Niko in November 2022 when suddenly he lunged at her and mauled her face. He had been 'the world's perfect dog' for four years before the incident, which left Ms Mortensen with a gaping bloody hole on the bridge of her nose.
It wasn't until after the attack that the Mortensens learned that their beloved pet had a severe and aggressive form of cancer in his brain. They believe the tumor is to blame for the drastic personality change. Korinne is pictured with her dogs, including Niko on the left.
The Mortensen's had Niko euthanized in January 2023 after they learned he had a terminal brain tumor Korinne, pictured, suffered a severe injury after her dog Niko lunged at her face, breaking her nose and taking out a chunk of skin Your browser does not support iframes. The family felt they had no other choice but to humanely euthanize Niko, wanting to both spare him from pain and protect their children. Ms Mortensen, 30, does not fault her dog for the incident.
The dog that attacked her, she said, was not the same dog they adopted years ago. The cancer had hi.