Posted on 03/09/2010 11:56:20 PM PST by Chet 99
LITHONIA, Ga. -- An 8-year-old girl was attacked by two Staffordshire bull terriers in Lithonia Tuesday afternoon, DeKalb County police said.
The attack happened while the girl was playing in the yard of her home on Margaret Court.
CBS Atlanta spoke to the girl’s father on the phone Tuesday night. He identified her as Erin Ingram. He choked back tears as he said his daughter wasn’t doing well.
“I think that this is horrible, horrible,” said neighbor Veronica Cook.
Cook and her son Kahlil Smoot couldn't believe Ingram was viciously attacked by two neighborhood dogs. “She's a sweet little girl,” said Smoot.
Police say Ingram was playing in her yard when two dogs, which resemble pit bulls, attacked her. A neighbor called 911, but not before the dogs severely wounded both of Ingram's arms.
“Three or four minutes being attacked by two vicious dogs can seem like eternity,” said DeKalb County police Officer Jason Gagnon. Gagnon said the first responding officer had to physically pull the dogs off the girl. Then when one of the dogs lunged at the officer, he shot and killed the dog. The other dog ran away and was later captured.
“It’s a terrible thing to happen especially to a small kid that can't defend themselves,” said neighbor Anita Jones.
Jones said she tried to capture the dogs on several occasions, and has called animal control about them. “They came in my yard and mauled my cat to death,” said Jones.
Other neighbors say they've attacked them too. “They’ve chased children through the neighborhood. They're always roaming around through the neighborhood,” said Cook.
Smoot said he’s been afraid of the dogs because they've bit his ankles before. He has a message for his neighborhood friend.
“I hope you feel better,” said Smoot.
Police have talked to the owners of the dogs. They are still determining if any charges will be filed against them.
Prayers for her.
The dogs owners should be charged and/or sued. If these dogs have been running around the neighborhood attacking other people and animals and the owners did nothing about it, they need to be held liable.
hope the little girl recovers as best she can
horrible
I was in Atlanta for my granddaughter’s birth and I saw this on the news and wondered if you’d hear about this and post it.
Horrible story
Just heard on the news, the owners are most definitely being charged!
That would not preclude the owners being thrown in jail mind you. I have seen the massive facial scars on an 8 year old girl mauled by the families pit bull (that wouldn't ever hurt a fly). No different than leaving a loaded gun where a 3 year old could get to it. Call your city council person and suggest a new city ordinance.
How about responsible dog ownership laws? In places that have implemented such laws (and enforced them), there have been surprising results. For example, in Calgary, their serious attacks have dramatically declined, and their dog licensing is over 90%. They didn’t need to ban a breed or raise insurance amounts, and it still worked really well.
Prevention (forcing people to take responsibility) is the only thing so far that has had any impact on dog attacks.
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