Posted on 04/21/2009 6:15:01 PM PDT by Chet 99
Mauled Kulpmont girl is 'critical' She's in medically induced coma
By Wayne Laepple and Rick Dandes The Daily Item
KULPMONT -- One day after being horribly mauled by a bullmastiff in an alley off Chestnut Street on Sunday afternoon, 9-year-old Amanda Smith was in critical, but stable condition, in a medically induced coma at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville.
Jody Cervantes, a cousin of Jennifer Smith, Amanda's mother, said, "From the dog attack, Amanda suffered multiple fractures, her sinuses were torn out, her skull was punctured, jaw broken and the bridge of her nose ripped away."
With Smith at the time, and also mauled by the same dog, was another 9-year-old, a neighbor from across the street, who was actually walking the dog when the attack began. Neighbors would not give her name, but said she was also taken to Geisinger, where she received 32 stitches in the lip before being released.
Smith faces a lengthy hospital stay and major reconstructive surgery. Already, she has endured a 5 1/2-hour operation. Doctors hope to wean her off a respirator soon.
But this Friday, said Katrina Hersey, a family friend, Amanda is scheduled for another operation, to repair a tear duct that was ripped out by the dog.
It all started innocently enough on Sunday at about 5:30 p.m.
Smith, who lives at 1039 Chestnut St., and her friend, had the bullmastiff on a leash. They walked onto Maple Street, an alley next to 1040 Chestnut St., where the dog's owner reportedly lives. Police would not identify the dog's owner.
The bullmastiff had never been a problem before, said neighbors.
A black dog suddenly appeared, barked, jumped a fence and provoked the bullmastiff, Hersey said.
The bullmastiff tried to get at the black dog.
Smith and her friend attempted to keep the large dog at bay, and that's when it turned on them.
According to Kulpmont police Cpl. Thomas Nowroski, it first bit Smith, then her friend, and then went back to severely maul Smith.
Her face covered with blood, hands cupped to her forehead, Smith ran wildly across the street to her house. There she met family and friends, including her grandmother.
"We looked at her at first," said Hersey, "and we thought the girls had found some red paint, and Amanda poured it over her face as makeup. Then, we suddenly realized it was blood."
Splashes of blood dripped on the alley by her feet.
A neighbor quickly recognized the problem, that she was severely bleeding through the nose cavity. He grabbed a towel and covered her face. Then, he got her to lie down.
"We called 911," said Hersey, picking up the story. "Fire and rescue people came here quickly."
Smith was flown to Geisinger by helicopter. Kulpmont fire and rescue personnel helped at the scene.
The dog was taken to the Sunbury Animal Hospital for 10 days of observation, said Nowroski.
"We have to decide what to do with it," he said. "We now know it is a danger to the community. And we have to protect our citizens, that's our first priority."
The case is under investigation.
Northumberland County District Attorney Anthony Rosini said he had no information about the incident and had not been contacted about the case. He said he would not comment on whether any charges would be brought against the dog's owner.
Meanwhile, said Cervantes, "The family is not well off, and there is no space at Ronald McDonald House."
"They have nothing," added Hersey, shaking her head. "They are on fixed income. They just moved here a few weeks ago from Lewisburg. Amanda was just starting Mount Carmel Elementary School. She is such a beautiful, fun-loving child. Always with a smile on her face. And now this. It has been just terrible."
Family members and friends have pooled funds to pay for a few nights in a hotel in Danville.
http://www.sniksnak.com/doghealth/aggression4.html
What is redirected aggression and how can it be treated?
Aggression that is directed toward a person or pet that did not initially evoke the aggression is classified as redirected. This is likely to occur when the dog is aroused and a person or other pet intervenes or approaches. Dogs that are highly aroused must be avoided. In some cases a water rifle, air horn, or long leash can be used to safely remove the dog from the situation. If the aggression and arousal does not immediately subside, consider locking your dog in a dark, quiet room, until he settles down and will come out for food or play. Since redirected aggression arises out of other forms of aggression, it is important to identify and treat the initial cause of aggression (e.g. fear, territorial, sibling rivalry, etc.), or to prevent the problem. This can be acomplished by avoiding exposure to the stimulus for aggression or by keeping a leash and head collar or leash and muzzle on your dog when exposure is possible.
I have read that these are NOT family dogs, but require someone who will establish unquestionable dominance over them.
Definitely not the ideal walking companion for a 9 year-old girl.
Owners/parents need their head examined but people with families buy these killers plus pit bulls. These dogs are just doing what they were bred for. Poor child - get well.
These dogs were bred to hunt bears or lions or some damn thing. What the hell is it doing in someone’s yard? Dogs that have jobs are a wonder to behold. Dogs with no job are trouble.
What kind of an asshat gives a nine year old the leash of a 150 lb dog?
They were bred to catch (human) poachers and hold them without damaging them, actually.
Why are 2 little girls allowed to walk a big strong dog that takes off after other dogs?
People are just stupid.
The only possible virtue a bullmastiff has is that they have very short lifespans. Eight, nine or maybe ten years.
I have no idea why anyone would let a 9 year old girl walk such a dog by herself however. This is another case of a dog being treated as a person, and not as an animal.
“The family is not well off, and there is no space at Ronald McDonald House.”
~~~
Guess who gets to pay for the hospital bills ?,,,
I hope she lives...
They will be. As pit bulls gradually lose their cool factor, Bull Mastiffs are becoming more popular.
(Speechless)
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