EDMONTON – A Fort St. John man viciously attacked and injured by two pitbulls on Christmas Day has undergone his first day of physiotherapy in Edmonton.
Robin Elgie and his girlfriend were attacked by two dogs while in their trailer home. The canines also killed one of their cats.
“I actually thought they were trying to get at my throat,” he told Global News on Tuesday.
READ MORE: B.C. man fighting for his life in Edmonton hospital after vicious dog attack
Elgie was initially rushed to Fort. St. John Hospital before being transported out-of-province to the University of Alberta Hospital in Edmonton.
He is now staying at Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital undergoing treatment.
“Basically they’re hoping therapy will work and if it doesn’t, more operations to get the tendons working again in my arms,” he said.
His arms, which bore the brunt of the attack, remain heavily bandaged.
The 66-year-old has seen a large outpouring of support from across the country. A GoFundMe page, launched three weeks ago in support of Elgie and his girlfriend, has raised more than $22,000.
“A lady had done a hot yoga fitness class in Calgary and she donated all her earnings from that to the GoFundMe,” Robin’s daughter Sheryl said.
“It is so amazing and uplifting that everybody has contributed and given so much to my dad.”
After the attack, it was believed Elgie might lose the use of his hands. He temporarily regained some feeling in his fingers, but that has since regressed.
The attack that left him so badly injured lasted between five and seven minutes.
“A lot of the stitches have been taken out. A lot of the scratches and the bite marks that were on his torso and legs are healing up beautifully,” Sheryl said.
Elgie spent years as a heavy duty equipment operator and mechanic.
“The chances of him ever working again are pretty slim and that’s pretty hard for him,” Sheryl added.
The RCMP have not yet charged anyone in connection with the attack. The incident remains under investigation.
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