Investigation Continues After 4-Year-Old Boy Loses Part Of Arm In Layton Dog Attack
Mar 4, 2019, 7:37 PM | Updated: Mar 5, 2019, 3:19 pm
LAYTON, Utah — An investigation is underway after a little boy lost the lower part of his arm after a dog attack in Layton.
The 4-year-old reached under his neighbor’s fence with a sock on his hand when police say a husky bit him Sunday afternoon.
We spoke to one neighbor who says the 4-year-old is still at the hospital, awaiting another surgery.
Monday his neighbor’s two dogs continue to be quarantined at the Davis County Animal Care and Control in Fruit Heights.
The animal control director there, Rhett Nicks, told KSL the holding is protocol for public health concern.
“That’s standard in Davis County. Any dog that bites or shows suspicion of biting is held for ten days to determine whether or not they have rabies,” said Nicks.
Sadly, Nicks said he sees multiple bite cases a year, but not usually this severe.
Many KSL viewers have asked if the responsible dog will be put down. Nicks said first there’s a lengthy investigation and then that’s for a judge to decide.
“That’s not an immediate for us. Animal euthanasia, here we’ve pretty much reached no kill status for two years. Our goal is not to initially euthanize animals. Our goal in cases like this is to find out all the facts and determine where they lead us,” said Nicks.
He said part of his investigation is figuring out which dog bit the boy and collecting statements from those in the area to determine if either of the dogs are deemed dangerous.
He’ll also look if they have caused any problems in the past. He wouldn’t release that information to us while the investigation is underway.
Neighbors who spoke with KSL said they feel terrible for both families impacted by this incident — the family of the boy and the owners of the dog.
Kellie Henry points out a hole in a fence where the same dog that bit the boy Sunday barks at her children.
Kellie Henry still can’t believe the news. Her family shares a fence with the same dogs.
She pointed us to a hole in their shared fence where the dog will bark at her children.
Henry said, “I mean I think any dog who has a hole right here would do that, but it’s scary to think about how easily it could have been my kid.”
Friends of the family of the 4-year-old boy have set up an account at Golden West Credit Union* to help with the boy’s medical and recovery expenses. Anyone wanting to help can donate to “Superman’s Army,” account #3660062.
*KSL TV does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisers and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
