Eden Prairie resident launches fundraiser for man injured in dog attack

An Eden Prairie woman is helping to raise funds for a Plymouth man who was attacked by two dogs outside his home earlier this week.

Nadezda Roife, a family friend, created a GoFundMe page for Emil Mammadov, who suffered severe injuries in the incident and now faces an uncertain recovery period. The fundraiser quickly surpassed its initial $20,000 goal, raising nearly $25,000 as of Thursday afternoon. The new goal is set at $50,000.

Roife described Mammadov on the page as “a man of integrity, family values, and loyalty to his community and friends.” Mammadov, a chef originally from Azerbaijan who moved to Minnesota from Las Vegas, runs a small catering business with his wife, Ilaha, and is the father of four daughters. Roife said she started the fundraiser hoping to ease the financial burden on Mammadov’s family as he recovers.

Attack details

Plymouth police reported that officers responded to a dog attack at a residence in the 15300 block of 60th Avenue in Plymouth at 12:19 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8. Upon arrival, officers found Mammadov with serious injuries and provided immediate medical aid until paramedics arrived. He was then transported to North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale for treatment.

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Further investigation led officers to a nearby residence, where they located two dogs responsible for the attack. The dogs’ owner has been identified, and the animals are currently being quarantined in a secure police facility in Maple Grove.

According to Roife, Mammadov sustained extensive injuries, including bites to his face, arms, and torso, and has since been released from the hospital. While police have not confirmed the breed of the dogs, Roife noted that Mammadov and his wife identified them as pit bulls. She added that Ilaha had previously expressed concerns to the dogs’ owners but said they had not been responsive to those concerns.

Facing long road to recovery

Roife, an immigration attorney who has lived in Eden Prairie since 2014, said she felt compelled to act after learning about Mammadov’s situation.

“I thought, my God, he’s really between a rock and a hard place,” she said. “He can’t take paid leave because he’s self-employed, and even if he pursues insurance claims, it could take years for any compensation to come through. As the family’s breadwinner, he’s in a tough spot – especially with his wife only working part-time at a school. How will they survive with six people in the household, especially with the holidays approaching?”

Mammadov, now recovering at home, celebrated his oldest daughter’s 20th birthday with his family after his release from the hospital.

“He could not have been with us,” Roife reflected, noting how much worse the attack could have been. “The vibe at their home was one of gratitude that he was there to celebrate with them.”

Despite the severity of Mammadov’s injuries, Roife remains optimistic that he’ll regain his strength and return to cooking. “We can’t wait until he is back on his feet and can overfeed us so we can always be on a perpetual diet after his dinners,” she said.

Roife added that she’s been moved by the outpouring of support. She described the Mammadov family as a “wonderful family” who came to the U.S. for a better life, adding that they are “honest, righteous, and good people who live a quiet life” here in Minnesota.

“I feel honored and humbled to live among such caring individuals who open their hearts to someone in need,” Roife said. “Despite the negativity we often hear in the news, this generosity shines through, reinforcing my faith in our community, especially in Minnesota.”