“Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Kyle Richards‘ 18-year-old daughter was brutally attacked by a pitbull owned by Kyle’s sister, Kim Richards, and Kim is now deciding what the “next step” is for her beloved dog.
Kyle’s second-oldest child, Alexia Umansky, underwent two surgeries after the pooch bit her several times Saturday, TMZ reports. The worst damage was done to her right hand: The dog bit through her thumb, down to the bone.
The pitbull, Kingsley, went after Umansky out of nowhere while the family was spending time at Kim’s Los Angeles-area home, according to the website.
Regarding the dog’s future, Kim told Page Six in a statement: “At this point I am looking at options to what the next step is for Kingsley. As many of you can relate, he is my best friend. This is a very difficult decision and time for all of us, but the safety of my family always comes first.”
Kim said that while Umansky and the dog “have been very close and friendly in the past,” “the dog has become very protective of me” since Umansky has been away at college.
“Alexia has been away from college for months and hasn’t seen Kingsley in a long time … When guests are over Kinglsey stays in my bedroom and has been given access to a special fenced in area in my backyard. Anyone entering the house is made aware that the dog should not be bothered,” said Kim.
Animal control services were not called because Kim, who is Kyle’s older sister, wants to keep the matter “private,” TMZ reports. However, Kingsley has gone on the attack before. Paramedics were called after the dog bit through someone’s arm, down to the bone, in March, according to TMZ. After Kingsley attacked someone else over the summer, officials told Kim to “keep the dog under control.”
The dog also went after a trainer during an episode of the Bravo reality show.
Kyle, 45, shared two photos on Instagram of the family having a “slumber party” at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center with a recovering Umansky, whose hands are visibly bandaged.
“When life gives you lemons … make lemonade,” she captioned one photo.
On her Facebook page, Kyle shared: “Regarding Alexia: She was attacked by a dog and has to have surgery. As always , she is trying to make the best out of a bad situation. Thank you for your thoughts & well wishes.”
Umansky, meanwhile, tweeted a photo of two other dogs visiting her in the hospital.