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Friday, January 23, 2009 10:35 AM Boys recovering from dog mauling By Gina Childress | Times Staff Writer Two boys are recovering this morning after being brutally attacked Thursday by a German shepherd that was roaming their neighborhood near Black Creek. Cody Galloway, 9, of 6411 Litchfield Road, received a deep laceration under his throat and three bites on his face after trying to pull the dog off of his friend, 10-year old Anderson Hooks of 6424 Litchfield Road. Anderson received two severe head lacerations, numerous bites to his face, and both of his ears were partially torn from his head. Both boys were transported to Wilson Medical Center and later taken to Pitt Memorial Hospital for treatment. Both boys have been released from the hospital. Major Mickey Wilson of Wilson County Animal Control said he received a call around 5:17 p.m. from Tammy Goff that two children had been attacked by a dog in her backyard. Wilson said Cody and Anderson were playing near the edge of the woods behind the home of Tammy and Dale Goff, 6430 Litchfield Road, when they noticed two dogs following them around. One of the dogs was the German shepherd, and the other was a brownish-gold mixed breed dog. Cody told investigators that the German shepherd began growling at Anderson, who started to back away from the dog, when the dog jumped on him knocking him to the ground and biting him around his face and head. "Cody tried to get the dog off of Anderson, when the dog turned on him and began biting him on the head and face," Wilson said. Wilson said that's when Cody ran to the Goff home for help. "When the Goffs got to Anderson he was covered in blood," Wilson said. "The other dog did not participate in the mauling and was actually standing over Anderson protecting him when help arrived and was showing no signs of aggression." Animal Enforcement is actively looking for that dog today. Dale Goff, was able to detain the German shepherd in a nearby field until Wilson arrived. Wilson said that when he reached the dog, the animal became aggressive with him and tried to bite him. That's when Wilson said he had no choice but to "put the dog down." Goff told Wilson he had seen the dog around the area for about a week but didn't know who the owner was. Wilson said that if Goff hadn't been able to detain the dog, the children would have had to begin rabies treatment immediately. "I want to thank Dale Goff for his help in capturing the dog so the children did not have to begin rabies treatment," he said. "It gave us the opportunity to have the dog tested for rabies first." Pursuant to state law, the German shepherd's head has been transported to the State Lab in Raleigh for rabies testing. Wilson said that if the test comes back negative, neither of the boys will have to take rabies shots; however, if it comes back with a positive result, they will immediately begin treatment. The rabies test results are expected back this afternoon. Wilson said they are in the process of trying to determine if someone living in the area owns the dogs or whether they are strays. Anyone living in the area who has seen a brown and tan colored dog roaming in the Litchfield/Slabtown Road area (near Black Creek) is asked to call Animal Enforcement at 265-9571 or call 911. "We need to find the owners of the dogs because he or she is responsible for the dog's actions. Both families are going to encounter medical bills for someone else's negligence, and they should be held accountable." Wilson said that if you see any stray dog to call them immediately, so they can verify who the dog may belong to. "Don't ever approach an unfamiliar dog because you have no idea whether or not they have been vaccinated, and you don't want to take that chance," he said. gina@wilsontimes.com | 265-7821 |
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Doglover said...
Where did all the of the original comments on this story go? Childress made the comment that the second dog had been adopted and was in a good home. I disagreed and stated that it was my understanding that the second dog was euthanized as well. Now those and other comments seem to have been deleted.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009 at 6:50 AM
AnotherRESPONSIBLEPetOwner said...Where did all the of the original comments on this story go? Childress made the comment that the second dog had been adopted and was in a good home. I disagreed and stated that it was my understanding that the second dog was euthanized as well. Now those and other comments seem to have been deleted.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009 at 6:50 AM
Further proof that some people should NOT be allowed to have pets. I guess someone is going to write and say that it is not the owners fault that the dog go loose from his leash, and that the dog was in the back yard and somehow escape. ROAMING dogs are a No-No. If you cannot afford to get a sturdy and tall fence to kept your dog in, then you don't need to have a dog.
Friday, January 30, 2009 at 9:43 PM
Ever notice in every story where someone is hurt in Wilson they end up being taken from Wil Med and go to Pitt Memorial? That is sad.
Thursday, January 29, 2009 at 10:02 AM
This just proves that people who allow their dogs to roam are wrong!
Saturday, January 24, 2009 at 6:25 AM
good luck on trying to find the owner of the german shephard.
Friday, January 23, 2009 at 10:05 PM
