COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — A Columbus non-profit executive is recovering in an Atlanta hospital from a vicious dog attack earlier this week that resulted in the amputation of a portion of her leg.

NeighborWorks Columbus Chief Operating Officer Kim Golden was inspecting a home in the Waverly Terrace neighborhood Wednesday afternoon when she was attacked by a pitbull-type dog.

Golden says she has received prayers and support since the dog attack.

“I want to thank everyone who has heard about this incident for their prayers,” she said. “I feel enveloped by God’s protection and the support and love of everyone around me. That is what is getting me through this mentally. I really cannot thank you all enough.”

Golden was walking back toward the porch of the home she was inspecting when the dog attacked her. The dog came from an adjoining property.

The dog bit Golden’s left leg and was able to knock her to the ground.

A co-worker and several others responded to Golden’s cries for help. They eventually got the dog off of her. A Muscogee County Sheriff’s Deputy was flagged down and waited with Golden until paramedics arrived.

She was treated on the scene, then at Piedmont Columbus Regional Midtown campus before being airlifted to Atlanta’s Grady Hospital where the decision to amputate was made.

Golden has been with NeighborWorks Columbus for about a year. She is involved in the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Columbus class and is a member of the Rotary Club of Columbus.

On News 3 at 5:30 p.m., Golden described how her life has changed following the attack.

“Now, I mean, I went immediately from able-bodied to I now have a disability. And I think another thing that’s really keeping me calm is my mother is disabled and so I’ve been exposed to the disability community and I don’t feel like it’s a tragedy to become disabled. I mean it’s not a tragedy. It’s just, it’s going to be a life change and my life is not over. It’s just going to look different.”

At 6 p.m., Golden talked about how she knew early in the attack the dog was trying to take her foot off.

“So there were a couple of moments, and it’s all kind of a whirlwind, of course. But at one point I actually had my hand in the dog’s mouth with the instinctual, you know, trying to pull it. And I have a puncture wound from that on my finger, but I had the wherewithal to think, oh, goodness, I need to get my hand out of its mouth or I’m going to lose a finger. And then at some point, too, I remember seeing, frankly, some what I guess is fatty tissue. And from that moment, I learned that the dog was not letting go and nothing was happening. I knew I did not think I was going to leave with my foot. So I felt very aware from the beginning that this dog is trying to take my foot.”

Upon reaching out to public works, which houses animal control, WRBL was referred to the city attorney for comment. We are awaiting response.