28.08.2026 16:31
In the Karşıyaka district of Izmir, Ayşe Ortan, a mother of five children who was walking her small dog, was attacked by a pit bull dog that was reportedly without a leash and muzzle. During the terrifying moments, Ortan's right index finger was severed, and because the limb was extremely damaged, it could not be reattached despite two operations. Stating that the attacking dog has not yet been found, Ortan said she cannot go out on the street out of fear, and added that she will read a poem she wrote for the dog's owner to the judge at the hearing.
Ayşe Ortan, a mother of five whose finger was severed in a pitbull attack, said her life changed after the horror she experienced. In the incident that occurred in Izmir's Karsiyaka district, Ortan was attacked by a pitbull while walking with her terrier dog named "Jelibon."
The incident took place at midday on August 19 in the Semikler neighborhood. Ortan, who works as a patient caregiver, was on her way home with her dog after buying bread from the bakery.
IT ATTACKED HER DOG FIRST, THEN HER
According to Ortan's account, the pitbull in front of a market near her apartment building suddenly ran and grabbed Jelibon by the back.
Ortan, who tried to save her small dog, was caught in the middle of the attack.
While people in the vicinity tried to intervene to stop the dog, one person shoved a mop handle into the pitbull's mouth. When the stick broke, Ortan's right index finger was severed in the dog's mouth.
THE SEVERED FINGER COULD NOT BE REATTACHED
Ayşe Ortan, rescued with the help of those around her, was taken to Ege University Hospital by ambulance.
Doctors performed two operations to save Ortan's severed finger. However, because the finger was extremely shattered, it was not possible to reattach it.
After the incident, Ortan and her daughter went to the police station and filed a complaint against Sibel G., who was identified as the dog's owner.
It was learned that Sibel G. said the dog ran away after the attack. Ortan expressed her suspicion that the dog may have been deliberately hidden by its owner.
"I WOULD HAVE DIED IF THEY HADN'T COME"
Describing the moments of the attack, Ortan stated that she was saved thanks to the help of people around her, saying, "I would have died if they hadn't come."
Ortan recounted what she experienced as follows:
"It suddenly ran and grabbed my dog by the back. I asked for help from around to make it let go, no one could get close. Someone shoved a mop handle into the dog's mouth. When the stick broke, my finger came off in the animal's mouth."
Ortan said that a person whose name she later learned was Zafer saved her and her dog by pulling the pitbull by its hind legs.
"I CAN'T GO OUTSIDE BECAUSE OF FEAR"
Ortan, a mother of five, who stated that she lost her job after the attack, also explained that the psychological impact of the incident continues.
Stating that the attacking dog has not yet been found, Ortan said, "I lost my job, and since the dog is still at large, I can't go outside because of fear."
WILL READ A POEM BEFORE THE JUDGE
Ayşe Ortan, who also said she writes poetry, composed a poem addressing the dog's owner after what she experienced.
Stating that she would read her poem before the judge on the day of the hearing, Ortan expressed her reaction with these lines:
"Oh heedless one, why didn't you put a muzzle on your dog?
Such heartlessness and complacency cannot be.
Did you perhaps have some deficiency in mind?
Sorry, but you are not human.
This can never be a mistake.
Rights of people cannot be debated in the supreme court.
Your Honor, the decision is yours.
I do not forgive this finger."