Patricia Conroy still has nightmares about vicious dog attack
by ANIKA VAN WYK, Sun Country Editor
June 18, 1997
Patricia Conroy is back, stronger than ever after a vicious dog attack in Italy.
The country singer, originally from Vancouver, suffered major wounds to her head and back after a German shepherd attacked her while she was strolling along a Mediterranean beach in Gaeta.
"My head was a mess," says Conroy, who has just returned to the stage after cancelling her European tour and taking two months off to recuperate.
She's at the Sun-sponsored Nashville North stage July 4.
There was no warning to the attack. The dog jumped out at Conroy and, when she turned to run, she fell, giving the dog the opportunity to maul the back of her head and her lower back.
"I still have the odd nightmare -- I thought I was going to die," she recalls.
Conroy was with her partner and band leader, Bob Funk, who managed to stop the dog and rush Conroy to the hospital.
"Bob was kicking the living hell out of the dog, but when a dog is attacking, he doesn't register pain.
"Bob was always my hero, but now he's really my hero."
At the Italian hospital, Funk was not allowed to accompany Conroy into the emergency room.
"That was the freakiest part -- there was no one to hold my hand and explain to me what was going on," she says.
Instead of being at Conroy's side, Funk was asked to take the police to the scene of the attack.
"When they got there, the dog came after them," she says. "Bob is going, `I can't believe this.' The police had their guns drawn and everything."
The dog backed down when Funk stood his ground. The dog was off his chain and apparently was on private property.
"The fence was down because of some construction, but there was no sign or anything," says Conroy.
"I feel personally the dog should be put down. If he can do that to me, it could happen to a child. We're going to have to sue someone, but my management is taking care of that. I couldn't bear it."
After the initial treatment at the Italian hospital, she was transferred to the U.S. naval hospital, where she was treated for two weeks.
"I'll always have scars on my head and lower back ... where you can't see it."
She admits with a laugh that she used to complain that her hair grows like a weed, but is now thankful it has grown over to hide the shaved area.
This positive attitude has spread.
"I've grown up from the experience. Something like that brings you back to what's important in life and what's important is health, friends and family."
Conroy's upcoming new album should be released in August.
