Child Injured in Dog Attack
At least one state legislator is thinking about new laws restricting violent animals after Tuesday’s dog attack in Lithonia that left an 8-year-old girl in critical condition.
State Sen. Vincent Fort said Wednesday that he is tired of seeing the reports of dog attacks.
“Every time a child who ought be protected is attacked by one of these pit bulls in the savage manner that we’ve seen makes me think its time that we do something,” Fort said.
“Is an outright ban too strong?” asked CBS Atlanta’s Bernard Watson.
“Probably so. We need to look at a full range of options, including liabilities on owners,” Fort answered.
The attack happened Tuesday afternoon while Erin Ingraham was playing in the yard of her home on Margaret Court, police said. Ingraham remained in critical condition Wednesday at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston.
Charges were pending Wednesday afternoon against the dogs’ owners.
CBS Atlanta spoke to the girl’s father on the phone Tuesday night. 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 Ingraham was viciously attacked by two neighborhood dogs.
“She’s a sweet little girl,” said Smoot.
Police said Ingraham 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 Ingraham’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. That dog will be put down, investigators said.
“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 said 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.
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