A family vacation on Oahu’s scenic North Shore turned into a nightmare when a 6-year-old girl was viciously mauled by an off-leash Rottweiler, leaving her hospitalized with multiple deep puncture wounds and temporarily unable to walk.
The incident occurred on Saturday, May 24, 2026, at Off the Wall Beach, a popular spot on Oahu’s North Shore. According to eyewitness accounts and video footage circulating online, the girl — identified as Eleanor — was playing with her father near the shoreline when the large dog suddenly attacked.
Eleanor’s mother, Nikki Pegues, described the ordeal as “absolute hell.” In interviews, she recounted how the family’s relaxing day at the beach quickly descended into chaos as beachgoers rushed to intervene. Witnesses could be heard screaming in the background of videos as several adults worked to pull the dog off the child.

The girl sustained multiple deep puncture wounds to her shoulder, back, armpit, thigh, and behind her knee. Her injuries were severe enough that she was unable to walk immediately following the attack and required emergency room treatment. No bones were broken, but the bruising and trauma have been significant.
Eleanor later told reporters she was “really scared” during the incident. “I was like, what’s going on? I was so freaked out,” she said, adding that the dog “bit me, and it hurts.”
Community members have reported that the Rottweiler — one of two reportedly brought to the beach off-leash by the same owner — has been involved in previous incidents. The dog’s owner, identified in local discussions as Nicholas Votto, allegedly has a history of allowing the animals to run unleashed in the area despite community complaints.
Local news outlet KHON2 reported that the owner has agreed to euthanize the dog responsible for the attack. The family is working with police and demanding accountability.
The attack has sparked widespread outrage across Hawaii, with many residents calling for stricter enforcement of leash laws on public beaches, especially in areas frequented by families and children. Animal control officials and police are investigating the incident.
Eleanor is continuing to recover at home. Her family has expressed gratitude for the beachgoers who helped stop the attack and for the outpouring of support from the community.