By JOSH AULT
6 News Reporter
NEWPORT (WATE) - It's been nearly a year since a Newport boy survived a violent dog attack.
Since that time, the community has come together to build this boy a new home.
Brandon Williams, 11, was attacked by a pit bull mix and another dog in August 2011. He was delivering a package to neighbors when it happened.
The dog that attacked him ripped off both his ears and caused serious damage to his arm.
Doctors were not able to reattach Brandon's ears.
Brandon had another tragedy in March when his mother, Christy Williams, died of lupus. She was only 30.
Shortly after Brandon was attacked, the community came together to hold a fundraiser for his family.
"In the beginning, Brandon said something," said Melissa Goddard, who organized that fundraiser. "I asked him what if he could have anything he wanted. He said he would like to have a house."
In the past eight months, the community has worked to build Brandon that home. It was dedicated on Friday.
The home was built entirely by donations and the hard work of volunteers. "The downstairs, my room has the Titans colors," Brandon said.
The community raised $65,000 to build the home. They also got most of the supplies and furniture donated. The land for the home was donated as well.
The Sunset Gap Community Center helped organize more than 300 volunteers to build the home. Most of them were church groups from all over the U.S. Most of the work was completed in the last four weeks.
"It's great to get to this point and provide a happy ending to this story, find him a good home for the rest of his life," said Sunset Gap Community Center Executive Director Josh Dunn.
Brandon's father, Tony Williams, says the attack and the loss of his wife have been very hard on his son. He says seeing the smile on Brandon's face recently has helped start the healing process.
"It's helping take the pain away, the hurt," said Tony Williams, "That helps wipe them out."
Brandon still has several more trips to the doctors, but he's glad to finally have a new place to call home.
"Thanks for everything y'all have done," Brandon said.
Members of the Cocke County Shriners Club are still taking Brandon to the hospital in Cincinnati. His father says his next trip is in September.
Tony says Brandon still has a 56% hearing loss in his right ear, but doctors say reconstructive surgery should be able to fix that.
"Thanks for everything y'all have done," Brandon Williams said.
