Debbie Bellinghieri, 61, was hiking Rob’s Trail, one of her favorites, in the afternoon last week when she and her two golden doodle dogs came across a moose and her calf on the trail. “She stopped and remained still, but unfortunately the moose got up and charged,” said her husband, Joe B ellinghieri. She was still at the University of Utah hospital recovering on Sunday from broken ribs, a punctured long, and cuts including a deep gash in her thigh requiring 30 stitches, Joe reported. One of their dogs, Murphee, suffered a broken leg trying to protect her, he said. “After my wife was injured, Murphee stayed with her,” he said. “When the moose charged again, Murphee went toward the moose. During the encounter, his front leg was broken.” The moose charged her five or six times in all. Joe had gone to work out at a local gym and received a call as he was pulling in to the parking lot to pick up Debbie. “I got a call from someone else’s phone, and she says your wife has been attacked and right then I called the ambulance,” he said. “They arrived very quickly,” he said. “All hell broke loose and then I found out that they were carrying one of my dogs down.” Their other dog, Charlee, was unhurt. Debbie had both dogs on leash when the attack occurred. “I am reaching out as the community should be aware as my wife is still in the hospital and Murphee had surgery to fix a broken leg,” Joe said. “This experience is very traumatic and could have very well led to loss of life.” He praised the hikers who helped his wife and dog, along with first responders and everyone at the hospital as well as the vet clinic in Salt Lake City where Murphee had surgery. Debbie has health insurance to cover those medical costs, he said, but posted on GoFundMe (https://gofund.me/16eb0bc0a) in an attempt to help with Murphee’s medical costs. On Sunday the bills had added up to $9,400 and more would be needed for recovery. Credit: Photo courtesy of Joe Bellinghieri “Our fundraiser is specifically for Murphee’s veterinary care,” Joe said in his GoFundMe narrative. “Murphee is only 4 years old. He is a huge part of our family, and we want to give him every opportunity to get back to the happy, active dog you see in these photographs. The road ahead will take time, but our hope is to see Murphee back on four legs — running, playing, hiking and enjoying life again.” The Bellinghieris, from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, annually spend six weeks around now, as the leaves change color, in Park City. They used to ski more, but they’ve come to love fall the most, Joe said. “We like to get out of the muck, as we call it, and get into keeping healthy and hiking and enjoying the foliage,” he said. Florida is still hot and muggy this time of year, he said.   “Fortunately, there were other hikers on the trail who came to my wife’s assistance and helped her make her way down the trail,” he said, adding that he wanted to also call attention to the moose that are plentiful in these mountains — and can be dangerous. The post Hiker and dog seriously injured in moose attack on Rob’s Trail appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less