Posted on 01/15/2023 9:05:28 AM PST by grundle
Burt Baker III, owner of three pit bulls involved in attack, is out on bond
GROVETOWN, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - An 11-year-old was sent to Augusta University Hospital after being attacked by three dogs on Friday night in Grovetown, according to the family.
In an incident report from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, it says the attack happened on Langston Drive. Deputies arrived at the family home on the same street around 6:30 p.m. Friday and found 11-year-old Justin Gilstrap being treated by fire crews for injuries.
Deputies say Justin’s scalp was halfway torn off, had deep puncture wounds on both legs, and half of his ear had been bitten off.
Ericka Stevens Gilstrap, the mother of the victim, says her son told her he was riding his bike when one pit bull started barking at him and then grabbed his leg. A second pit bull then came up and grabbed him on his bottom.
That’s when he fell off the bike and a third pit bull then came up and dragged him into a ditch.
The family says he was eventually rushed in for emergency surgery.
“There’s a possibility he could be missing part of his ear. They can’t see it was his other ear. He’s got cartilage hanging,” Gilstrap says. “They had to quit taking his blood pressure because there was nowhere good to do it. So they finally put it on his arm and he was screaming, but they’re giving him fentanyl and morphine and he’s been pretty calm. He’s been a trooper.”
Ericka says her 11-year-old nephew is the one who called 911 after discovering Justin in the ditch.
“He has not cried. He’s not. He said ‘I’m gonna be tough.’ I was like, ‘You’re tougher than me because I’ve probably been hysterical,’” said Ericka.
The family says they have reported these dogs to Columbia County Sheriff’s Office several times before. Ericka says she filed her first report last year and says neighbors have also made reports and complaints.
The owner of the three dogs, Burt Baker III, arrived on the scene and told deputies the dogs were his. He told officers the dogs like to chase people on bicycles.
After learning from animal control the owner has had previous reports and warnings in the past, deputies charged Baker with reckless conduct.
Saturday morning, the family told News 12 saying the child is in a medically induced coma. As of Sunday evening, they say 11-year-old Justin is out of his first surgery, but more have already been scheduled for the week.
Ericka Gilstrap says more of Justin’s scalp had to be removed down to his neck, his leg has two large wounds that could not be closed, and while his left ear was able to be repaired, it now has an infection.
She says Justin remains on a breathing machine and is sedated for the time being.
After a review of county records, Columbia County Animal Services has responded to various complaints concerning multiple dog issues in the Rolling Meadows subdivision over the last several years. Animal Services has had limited interactions with the owner of these particular dogs in the past and warnings for allowing the dogs to run free were issued. Columbia County Animal Services has no record of these dogs being aggressive towards humans until this incident. - Columbia Board of Commissioners
“Having my grandson almost drown and spending days in the PICU, I can totally empathize. My heart hurts for Justin and his family. No parent or child should have to endure a horrible situation like this. We will continue to pray for his recovery,” Chairman Duncan stated earlier Sunday.
The Board of Commissioners says the matter has been turned over to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and they have made an arrest. The incident is under further investigation.
Major Steve Morris with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office now confirms that Baker is out on a $1,100 bond.
Pit bulls are like an AK-47 with a mad man behind the trigger.
The Dog must be put down and the owner should face the same charges as if he personally attacked this child.
Burt Baker III, left, was charged with reckless conduct after his pit bulls allegedly attacked 11-year-old Justin Stevens on Friday night. The child is shown at right in images posted by his mother. Baker is shown in a 2021 mugshot and 2020 Facebook photo with one of his pit bulls.
exactly- folks will say “It’s all in how you raise them- they are the sweetest dogs around- they woudl never hurt anyone”
problem is, even those who are ‘raised right’ go mental spontaneously- for no apparent reasons- even if some pitts never are aggressive- some who appear non aggressive can and do go berserk - and you can never tell which way your dog will go through life- knowing that- a pit should always be restrained when aroudn others- just incase- even if they are gentle most of the time- there is no excuse for when a dog goes berserk and the owner thought they would ‘never bite someone’- that goes for most dogs- not just pitts-
There was a logging show on where a logging company owner had two rottweilers- while he was at work- his wife looked out the window and witnessed one of them tearing their young daughter to pieces-
When I read the headline, my first thought was Cocker Spaniels. (Do I really need a sarcasm tag here?)
When I was a kid growing up in the 70s and 80s I never heard of the Pit Bull breed. Now, they are in the news all the time and I see them frequently where I live mostly being walked by their hoodrat owners.
You will be personally responsible for your dog's actions in inflicting injury to others, as if you hade performed the injury yourself.
I was attacked by a pitbull last spring. Animal went right for my throat... tore up my right arm. It was the most terrifying thing that has ever happened to me. I despise those creatures.
I love dogs, however pit bull dogs should be exterminated from the earth, they’re absolutely horrible animals.
I've seen a pit bull attacking an innocent Yorkie, it was not pretty.
The perp might not want me on his jury.
Law suit city for dog owner and the City for allowing Pit Bulls to run loose.
The breed “Pit Bull” should be eliminated....
...it's not the breed, it's the way they were raised...
“Baker is out on a $1,100 bond”
My elderly mother got attacked by a neighbor’s aggressive dog after she tried to protect her dog after it was attacked first. It was supposed to be a nice morning walk, but it ended up being an experience at the ER and emergency vet. Dog bites are nasty. Her pooch almost died from infection.
Note that Democrats in Congress call to ban all kinds of things that harm no one, but given much of their support comes from black thugs (I know the negligent owner in this case is white), they say nothing about pit bulls.
Pit bull owners are criminal scum.
Thanks- I have seen numerous stories like that too- Dogs shoudl be controlled in the presence of others- in my opinion- no matter the dog type- but especially something as strong and built for fighting such as pitbulls, rottweilers etc
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