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Media reports on dog events

Ok, the topic is a bit weird but after readingRebekah's story below you will get the idea. I often notice this in all areas of reporting - for instance our media still report on President Clinton and Mr. Bush - weird. Read on... [quote=Rebekah H.]Lets look at labs... Rebekah H. - Sunny Valley wrote: Notice the headliners for these attacks....they dont say "LAB ATTACKS" they say "DOG ATTACKS".....but if it is a "pitbull type dog" it always says "PITBULL" not "DOG".... Authorities say 4-year-old recovering from dog attack Associated Press CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. - A 4-year-old girl is recovering at home after she suffered injuries to her face and chest from an attack by a neighbor's Labrador retriever, officials said. Clarksville Police Sgt. Daryl Brewer said Abby Marie Bent was playing in the neighbor's backyard with some friends Saturday morning when the attack occurred. He said the dog bit her face and chest multiple times. Bent was airlifted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in stable condition, but a hospital official said Sunday that she was released Saturday night. Authorities are unsure about exactly what happened. They said the dog was attached to a 15-foot cable that was secured to a deck when the incident occurred. "Because no adults were around, we really aren't sure exactly why the dog attacked; we don't know if the child provoked it or what," Brewer said. "The lady who owns the dog said she came outside when she heard him growling and saw (Abby) running toward her house. She said the other little kids were running around upset." The dog's owners told police his vaccinations were all current and that he had not previously shown signs of aggression. The owners were instructed to quarantine the dog until Montgomery County Animal Control officers could investigate further. No chargers were expected against the owners, police said. Last week, authorities said four dogs attacked a 60-year-old woman and killed her. One of the dogs suspected in the mauling is a Labrador retriever. Dogs' owner may not face charges Officials say law may not back criminal case in death By LEON ALLIGOOD Staff Writer DECHERD, Tenn. — The owner of two Franklin County dogs accused of killing a local woman Saturday may face no criminal prosecution because of weak state laws, authorities said. The charge of allowing dogs to run at large, off their leashes, "may be the worst thing that could be charged" in the death of Dianna Acklen, 60, Sheriff Mike Foster said. "The DA will have to make that call. If I had to guess, I don't think any criminal charges will be filed," the sheriff said. His comments came Tuesday, the same day Acklen was eulogized and buried. "There could be some responsibility by the owners if the dogs had a history of violence, but as far as specific charges, it's hard to say at this time. It could be criminal, or it could just be a civil matter. We'll have to wait on the evidence to be looked at and analyzed,'' Assistant District Attorney General Bill Copeland added. Although Acklen's family said she had complained twice about the dogs' behavior to the owner, identified by authorities as Ronnie Swann of 2982 Knights Church Road, the sheriff's office said no one had ever made an official complaint. The woman, who was well-known as a longtime county library employee and a citizen active in many pursuits, was near the end of the daily route she had traveled on foot hundreds of times since she began walking for exercise about two years ago. Authorities are unsure whether she was attacked in the road and fled to the house for safety, or if she entered the yard to make another complaint with the owners, who were out of town at the time. Her lifeless body was reported to authorities at 5:23 p.m. Meanwhile, another element in the tragedy came to light Tuesday when authorities said a third dog may have been involved in the death of Acklen, 60. "In fact, that's a good question to be asking — was there another dog there? How do we know there wasn't another dog there and that dog was the primary aggressor?'' the sheriff said. Emergency workers told James Henry "Bub" Wilkinson, Franklin County rabies control officer, there was a large dog, perhaps a Great Pyrenees, across from the Swann home on the evening of the attack. "I was told he had blood on him,'' Wilkinson said. The chocolate Labrador retriever and its mixed-breed companion are being held together in a cage segregated from other dogs in the small county-run dog pound. The dogs wagged their tails at Wilkinson's presence and offered no sign of aggression. "Sometimes you just can't tell,'' Wilkinson said. The county animal officer said investigators would return soon to make impressions of the animal's teeth so they can be compared with Acklen's bite wounds. "Eventually, they will be put down. I'm licensed to handle that,'' he said. Meanwhile, as the animals acted friendly, oblivious to the harm they are suspected of causing, family and friends gathered Tuesday afternoon at Moore-Cortner Funeral Home in Winchester to say goodbye. "She was one of the finest people to walk on the face of the earth. I couldn't say enough good things about her,'' said Leon Williams, a former pastor at Acklen's church, Elk River Baptist Church. Sonda Lewis recalled the woman's smile. "She was always willing to do anything for anybody,'' she said. "Exactly,'' added her husband, Kelly. Retiree Paul "Pat" Williams said he served as Sunday school superintendent at Elk River Baptist for 30 years. "Dianna was always there as Sunday school clerk. She was always the one to pay the bills and get the Christmas baskets together and send flowers when somebody died,'' Williams said. "Now we've lost her." Dennis Acklen, who lost his wife of 41 years, said the last bittersweet memory of his wife was at their only grandchild's first birthday party Saturday. On Tuesday he stood outside his brick home, waiting on a ride to the funeral home. He said that the little boy's actual birthday is Wednesday. "We didn't want the funeral to be on his birthday,'' he said. • (if this had been a pitbul it would have been euthanized...but these dogs killed a woman & will most likely be given another chance to do it again...) Girl in dog attack healing By HEATHER DONAHOE The Leaf-Chronicle A 4-year-old Brook Mead Drive girl is recovering at home after a neighbor's dog attacked her Saturday. The 8-year-old yellow Labrador retriever thought to have bitten Abby Marie Bent's face multiple times was up to date on his vaccinations, said Animal Control Director David Selby. The dog — named Dyson — is in a 10-day quarantine at the house of his owners, Reinaldo and Cynthia Lopez. Abby was playing with other children Saturday morning in the Lopez's back yard when Dyson — for undetermined reasons — attacked. Abby's mother told an animal control officer the dog bit when Abby tried to pet him, Selby said. "I don't think anybody really knows exactly how or why it happened," Selby said. "We still don't know if the dog was sleeping, and she came up and surprised him — it's just hard to say." The Lopezes indicated they plan to have Dyson euthanized when the quarantine ends, Selby said. Animal Control won't file charges against the Lopezes because Dyson was vaccinated and wasn't running loose, Selby said. Abby was flown to Vanderbilt University Medical Center and underwent surgery. She received numerous internal and external stitches on her cheeks. Selby said a Labrador retriever's bite packs about 1,500 pounds of pressure. "The wounds are severe," Selby said. "It's heartbreaking. She is an absolutely beautiful little girl. I have a 5-year-old daughter myself, and I can't imagine what I'd do." Clarksville police spokesman Detective Vincent Lewis said Abby will have to have reconstructive plastic surgery to repair significant scarring. The Bent and Lopez families declined to comment about the dog attack. Selby warns parents against leaving young children unattended with dogs — of any breed. "It can happen with any kind of dog," he said. "We have people bring in all kinds of dogs — a chocolate Lab just the other day — because they have growled at their kids," Selby said. "It's just really important for parents to watch their young kids when they're around animals." Two dogs attack Tiverton letter carrier TIVERTON — A Tiverton letter carrier was attacked by two dogs on Tucker Avenue in town on Thursday, May 4. The incident occurred at 2:30 p.m. in a neighborhood not far from the Sakonnet River Bridge while the carrier, whose name was not released, was walking on the street between deliveries. One dog ran toward him and he fended it off with his mail satchel while reaching for his dog spray, an approved Postal Service product. A yellow lab mix rushed him from behind at the same time and bit the back of his left thigh. The attack left a deep puncture wound. The carrier was taken to Memorial Hospital for treatment. "The Tiverton animal control officer quickly quarantined the dog and verified that it had the required shots," said Tiverton Postmaster Karin Aukerman. "The letter carrier took the appropriate steps to protect himself from injury. More than a week later, the puncture wound still causes him pain," she said, though he has been able to return to work. Both dogs were owned by the same person. Ms. Aukerman said it is Postal Service policy to seek restitution for medical expenses from the dog owner's insurance company. This is the first dog bite injury to a letter carrier in Tiverton in three years, the postmaster said. "We work closely with the Tiverton animal control officer to identify the dogs in town and to place dog-warning cards at the carriers' cases. National statistics indicate that for every carrier who is bitten, about 30 children are injured in dog attacks each year," said Ms. Aukerman. "In Tiverton, we have a chance to reduce that number if owners continue to take responsible care of their pets. For the most part, they do, and I thank them for that." "Customers appear increasingly aware of the financial liability involved. They're increasingly aware, too, that even nice dogs bite," Ms. Aukerman said. She said Tiverton residents can prevent dog bite injuries by taking the following steps: * Keep your dog in the house or leashed in the yard away from the mail receptacle. * Don't have your dog at your side when your letter carrier hands you mail. * Teach your children to refrain from giving or receiving mail from a letter carrier when your dog is nearby. * If you are at home and come to the door to meet the carrier, restrain your dog. * If you have an invisible fence, relocate your mailbox to a point outside that area. Dog attacks infant - Belrose Wednesday 26 April An 18-month-old girl has undergone plastic surgery after being attacked by a dog in Sydney's north yesterday afternoon. Shortly before 4pm, the girl was bitten on the face by a Labrador Kelpie cross while playing outside her house on Olga Place at Belrose. The girl's mother and several neighbours rendered assistance before ambulance officers arrived. She was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital where plastic surgery was performed on her severe facial injuries. Local police arrived and secured the dog. They discovered it had escaped from the backyard of a nearby house. The owner was not home at the time of the incident and will speak with investigators later this morning. Council rangers will liaise with police about any further action. Dog attacks 4-year-old Child airlifted to Vandy with deep puncture wounds on sides of face By HEATHER DONAHOE The Leaf-Chronicle A toddler was wounded badly Saturday morning when she was attacked by a neighbor's yellow Labrador retriever. Four-year-old Abby Marie Bent was in neighbors' back yard with some friends on Brook Mead Drive, when the 8-year-old dog, Dyson, bit her face and chest multiple times, said Clarksville Police Sgt. Daryl Brewer. Abby was taken by ambulance to Outlaw Field, where a LifeFlight medical helicopter was waiting. Abby was airlifted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries. "She was actually just as calm as could be," said Montgomery County Emergency Medical Service Capt. Gerry Pulley. The little girl suffered deep puncture wounds on both sides of her face and above her nose, Pulley said, adding the chest wounds were less severe. Dyson was attached to a 15-foot cable, secured to a deck, when the attack happened near a swing set at about 10:45 a.m., police said. "Because no adults were around, we really aren't sure exactly why the dog attacked — we don't know if the child provoked it or what," Brewer said. "The lady who owns the dog said she came outside when she heard him growling and saw (Abby) running toward her house. She said the other little kids were running around upset." The dog's owners, Reinaldo and Cynthia Lopez of 330 Brook Mead Drive, told police Dyson's vaccinations were all current and that he had not previously shown signs of aggression. The Lopezes were instructed by CPD Officer Scott Kirkman to quarantine the dog until Montgomery County Animal Control officers can investigated further. No charges against the Lopezes are expected, Brewer said. Animal Control Director David Selby said numerous factors could have precipitated the attack. "Obviously, this is not too common for a yellow Lab, but even the most gentle family dog can get really territorial," Selby said. "If someone comes around they're not familiar with, that dog's first reaction is to protect itself and its owners. That's why families like them — because they're so loyal." Determining whether the dog is a mixed breed and if he is, in fact, current on vaccinations could be part of Animal Control's investigation "It's just really hard to say what may have happened," Selby said. "We'll have to look at the whole situation." Abby's condition was unavailable from hospital officials Saturday night. Boy, 9, attacked by dog in driveway Mother tried to distract animal Apr 26, 2006 John Slykhuis, Staff Writer More from this author A third violent dog attack in the past month has left a nine-year-old Island Grove boy with lacerations and bruises. Cody Owens was playing with friends April 15 when a lab mix that had escaped from its pen charged at him. Cody's mother, Betty, said she had seen the dog running loose and, fearing for the safety of children outside, tried to distract it. When Cody heard his mother, he came to the end of the driveway and, wondering what was happening, yelled, "What, mom?" That's when the male dog, described as "muscular", spotted him and attacked. "He was growling and he knocked me down. Then he started biting me on the head. I kicked him and he ran away," Cody said. With Cody bleeding and in pain, his parents took him to Southlake Regional Health Centre in Newmarket, where he was anesthetized before treatment. "The doctors said they wanted him put out because of what he'd been through," Ms Owens said. The slightly-built boy needed 10 stitches to close the gash on his forehead and head, three stitches in his torn eyebrow and a bandage over a puncture wound in his arm where the dog's claw raked him. His face was swollen and both his eyes were bruised and puffy. "It all happened so fast," Ms Owens said. Dog attacks are becoming more frequent and she is worried it is only a matter of time before a child is killed. The dog was taken to the Georgina animal shelter where it was quarantined. The dog's owner has apologized and agreed to have the animal destroyed, Ms Owens said. As for Cody, the attack hasn't left him afraid of dogs. The Owens family has two canines. "I'm not afraid of dogs, just that one," he said. In other recent attacks, Barbara Cripps and her dog Rex were injured by two dogs running loose in Keswick and Kevin Sarasin was badly mauled by a large Tibetan mastiff in Pefferlaw two weeks ago. And the list goes on.....but notice....they all say "DOG ATTACK".....they do not say "LAB ATTACK".....hmmm.....weird.... [/quote]
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    • Ok, the topic is a bit weird but after readingRebekah's story below you will get the idea. I often notice this in all areas of reporting - for instance our media still report on President Clinton and Mr. Bush - weird. Read on... [quote=Rebekah H.]Lets look at labs... Rebekah H. - Sunny Valley wrote: Notice the headliners for these attacks....they dont say "LAB ATTACKS" they say "DOG ATTACKS".....but if it is a "pitbull type dog" it always says "PITBULL" not "DOG".... Authorities say 4-year-old recovering from dog attack Associated Press CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. - A 4-year-old girl is recovering at home after she suffered injuries to her face and chest from an attack by a neighbor's Labrador retriever, officials said. Clarksville Police Sgt. Daryl Brewer said Abby Marie Bent was playing in the neighbor's backyard with some friends Saturday morning when the attack occurred. He said the dog bit her face and chest multiple times. Bent was airlifted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in stable condition, but a hospital official said Sunday that she was released Saturday night. Authorities are unsure about exactly what happened. They said the dog was attached to a 15-foot cable that was secured to a deck when the incident occurred. "Because no adults were around, we really aren't sure exactly why the dog attacked; we don't know if the child provoked it or what," Brewer said. "The lady who owns the dog said she came outside when she heard him growling and saw (Abby) running toward her house. She said the other little kids were running around upset." The dog's owners told police his vaccinations were all current and that he had not previously shown signs of aggression. The owners were instructed to quarantine the dog until Montgomery County Animal Control officers could investigate further. No chargers were expected against the owners, police said. Last week, authorities said four dogs attacked a 60-year-old woman and killed her. One of the dogs suspected in the mauling is a Labrador retriever. Dogs' owner may not face charges Officials say law may not back criminal case in death By LEON ALLIGOOD Staff Writer DECHERD, Tenn. — The owner of two Franklin County dogs accused of killing a local woman Saturday may face no criminal prosecution because of weak state laws, authorities said. The charge of allowing dogs to run at large, off their leashes, "may be the worst thing that could be charged" in the death of Dianna Acklen, 60, Sheriff Mike Foster said. "The DA will have to make that call. If I had to guess, I don't think any criminal charges will be filed," the sheriff said. His comments came Tuesday, the same day Acklen was eulogized and buried. "There could be some responsibility by the owners if the dogs had a history of violence, but as far as specific charges, it's hard to say at this time. It could be criminal, or it could just be a civil matter. We'll have to wait on the evidence to be looked at and analyzed,'' Assistant District Attorney General Bill Copeland added. Although Acklen's family said she had complained twice about the dogs' behavior to the owner, identified by authorities as Ronnie Swann of 2982 Knights Church Road, the sheriff's office said no one had ever made an official complaint. The woman, who was well-known as a longtime county library employee and a citizen active in many pursuits, was near the end of the daily route she had traveled on foot hundreds of times since she began walking for exercise about two years ago. Authorities are unsure whether she was attacked in the road and fled to the house for safety, or if she entered the yard to make another complaint with the owners, who were out of town at the time. Her lifeless body was reported to authorities at 5:23 p.m. Meanwhile, another element in the tragedy came to light Tuesday when authorities said a third dog may have been involved in the death of Acklen, 60. "In fact, that's a good question to be asking — was there another dog there? How do we know there wasn't another dog there and that dog was the primary aggressor?'' the sheriff said. Emergency workers told James Henry "Bub" Wilkinson, Franklin County rabies control officer, there was a large dog, perhaps a Great Pyrenees, across from the Swann home on the evening of the attack. "I was told he had blood on him,'' Wilkinson said. The chocolate Labrador retriever and its mixed-breed companion are being held together in a cage segregated from other dogs in the small county-run dog pound. The dogs wagged their tails at Wilkinson's presence and offered no sign of aggression. "Sometimes you just can't tell,'' Wilkinson said. The county animal officer said investigators would return soon to make impressions of the animal's teeth so they can be compared with Acklen's bite wounds. "Eventually, they will be put down. I'm licensed to handle that,'' he said. Meanwhile, as the animals acted friendly, oblivious to the harm they are suspected of causing, family and friends gathered Tuesday afternoon at Moore-Cortner Funeral Home in Winchester to say goodbye. "She was one of the finest people to walk on the face of the earth. I couldn't say enough good things about her,'' said Leon Williams, a former pastor at Acklen's church, Elk River Baptist Church. Sonda Lewis recalled the woman's smile. "She was always willing to do anything for anybody,'' she said. "Exactly,'' added her husband, Kelly. Retiree Paul "Pat" Williams said he served as Sunday school superintendent at Elk River Baptist for 30 years. "Dianna was always there as Sunday school clerk. She was always the one to pay the bills and get the Christmas baskets together and send flowers when somebody died,'' Williams said. "Now we've lost her." Dennis Acklen, who lost his wife of 41 years, said the last bittersweet memory of his wife was at their only grandchild's first birthday party Saturday. On Tuesday he stood outside his brick home, waiting on a ride to the funeral home. He said that the little boy's actual birthday is Wednesday. "We didn't want the funeral to be on his birthday,'' he said. • (if this had been a pitbul it would have been euthanized...but these dogs killed a woman & will most likely be given another chance to do it again...) Girl in dog attack healing By HEATHER DONAHOE The Leaf-Chronicle A 4-year-old Brook Mead Drive girl is recovering at home after a neighbor's dog attacked her Saturday. The 8-year-old yellow Labrador retriever thought to have bitten Abby Marie Bent's face multiple times was up to date on his vaccinations, said Animal Control Director David Selby. The dog — named Dyson — is in a 10-day quarantine at the house of his owners, Reinaldo and Cynthia Lopez. Abby was playing with other children Saturday morning in the Lopez's back yard when Dyson — for undetermined reasons — attacked. Abby's mother told an animal control officer the dog bit when Abby tried to pet him, Selby said. "I don't think anybody really knows exactly how or why it happened," Selby said. "We still don't know if the dog was sleeping, and she came up and surprised him — it's just hard to say." The Lopezes indicated they plan to have Dyson euthanized when the quarantine ends, Selby said. Animal Control won't file charges against the Lopezes because Dyson was vaccinated and wasn't running loose, Selby said. Abby was flown to Vanderbilt University Medical Center and underwent surgery. She received numerous internal and external stitches on her cheeks. Selby said a Labrador retriever's bite packs about 1,500 pounds of pressure. "The wounds are severe," Selby said. "It's heartbreaking. She is an absolutely beautiful little girl. I have a 5-year-old daughter myself, and I can't imagine what I'd do." Clarksville police spokesman Detective Vincent Lewis said Abby will have to have reconstructive plastic surgery to repair significant scarring. The Bent and Lopez families declined to comment about the dog attack. Selby warns parents against leaving young children unattended with dogs — of any breed. "It can happen with any kind of dog," he said. "We have people bring in all kinds of dogs — a chocolate Lab just the other day — because they have growled at their kids," Selby said. "It's just really important for parents to watch their young kids when they're around animals." Two dogs attack Tiverton letter carrier TIVERTON — A Tiverton letter carrier was attacked by two dogs on Tucker Avenue in town on Thursday, May 4. The incident occurred at 2:30 p.m. in a neighborhood not far from the Sakonnet River Bridge while the carrier, whose name was not released, was walking on the street between deliveries. One dog ran toward him and he fended it off with his mail satchel while reaching for his dog spray, an approved Postal Service product. A yellow lab mix rushed him from behind at the same time and bit the back of his left thigh. The attack left a deep puncture wound. The carrier was taken to Memorial Hospital for treatment. "The Tiverton animal control officer quickly quarantined the dog and verified that it had the required shots," said Tiverton Postmaster Karin Aukerman. "The letter carrier took the appropriate steps to protect himself from injury. More than a week later, the puncture wound still causes him pain," she said, though he has been able to return to work. Both dogs were owned by the same person. Ms. Aukerman said it is Postal Service policy to seek restitution for medical expenses from the dog owner's insurance company. This is the first dog bite injury to a letter carrier in Tiverton in three years, the postmaster said. "We work closely with the Tiverton animal control officer to identify the dogs in town and to place dog-warning cards at the carriers' cases. National statistics indicate that for every carrier who is bitten, about 30 children are injured in dog attacks each year," said Ms. Aukerman. "In Tiverton, we have a chance to reduce that number if owners continue to take responsible care of their pets. For the most part, they do, and I thank them for that." "Customers appear increasingly aware of the financial liability involved. They're increasingly aware, too, that even nice dogs bite," Ms. Aukerman said. She said Tiverton residents can prevent dog bite injuries by taking the following steps: * Keep your dog in the house or leashed in the yard away from the mail receptacle. * Don't have your dog at your side when your letter carrier hands you mail. * Teach your children to refrain from giving or receiving mail from a letter carrier when your dog is nearby. * If you are at home and come to the door to meet the carrier, restrain your dog. * If you have an invisible fence, relocate your mailbox to a point outside that area. Dog attacks infant - Belrose Wednesday 26 April An 18-month-old girl has undergone plastic surgery after being attacked by a dog in Sydney's north yesterday afternoon. Shortly before 4pm, the girl was bitten on the face by a Labrador Kelpie cross while playing outside her house on Olga Place at Belrose. The girl's mother and several neighbours rendered assistance before ambulance officers arrived. She was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital where plastic surgery was performed on her severe facial injuries. Local police arrived and secured the dog. They discovered it had escaped from the backyard of a nearby house. The owner was not home at the time of the incident and will speak with investigators later this morning. Council rangers will liaise with police about any further action. Dog attacks 4-year-old Child airlifted to Vandy with deep puncture wounds on sides of face By HEATHER DONAHOE The Leaf-Chronicle A toddler was wounded badly Saturday morning when she was attacked by a neighbor's yellow Labrador retriever. Four-year-old Abby Marie Bent was in neighbors' back yard with some friends on Brook Mead Drive, when the 8-year-old dog, Dyson, bit her face and chest multiple times, said Clarksville Police Sgt. Daryl Brewer. Abby was taken by ambulance to Outlaw Field, where a LifeFlight medical helicopter was waiting. Abby was airlifted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries. "She was actually just as calm as could be," said Montgomery County Emergency Medical Service Capt. Gerry Pulley. The little girl suffered deep puncture wounds on both sides of her face and above her nose, Pulley said, adding the chest wounds were less severe. Dyson was attached to a 15-foot cable, secured to a deck, when the attack happened near a swing set at about 10:45 a.m., police said. "Because no adults were around, we really aren't sure exactly why the dog attacked — we don't know if the child provoked it or what," Brewer said. "The lady who owns the dog said she came outside when she heard him growling and saw (Abby) running toward her house. She said the other little kids were running around upset." The dog's owners, Reinaldo and Cynthia Lopez of 330 Brook Mead Drive, told police Dyson's vaccinations were all current and that he had not previously shown signs of aggression. The Lopezes were instructed by CPD Officer Scott Kirkman to quarantine the dog until Montgomery County Animal Control officers can investigated further. No charges against the Lopezes are expected, Brewer said. Animal Control Director David Selby said numerous factors could have precipitated the attack. "Obviously, this is not too common for a yellow Lab, but even the most gentle family dog can get really territorial," Selby said. "If someone comes around they're not familiar with, that dog's first reaction is to protect itself and its owners. That's why families like them — because they're so loyal." Determining whether the dog is a mixed breed and if he is, in fact, current on vaccinations could be part of Animal Control's investigation "It's just really hard to say what may have happened," Selby said. "We'll have to look at the whole situation." Abby's condition was unavailable from hospital officials Saturday night. Boy, 9, attacked by dog in driveway Mother tried to distract animal Apr 26, 2006 John Slykhuis, Staff Writer More from this author A third violent dog attack in the past month has left a nine-year-old Island Grove boy with lacerations and bruises. Cody Owens was playing with friends April 15 when a lab mix that had escaped from its pen charged at him. Cody's mother, Betty, said she had seen the dog running loose and, fearing for the safety of children outside, tried to distract it. When Cody heard his mother, he came to the end of the driveway and, wondering what was happening, yelled, "What, mom?" That's when the male dog, described as "muscular", spotted him and attacked. "He was growling and he knocked me down. Then he started biting me on the head. I kicked him and he ran away," Cody said. With Cody bleeding and in pain, his parents took him to Southlake Regional Health Centre in Newmarket, where he was anesthetized before treatment. "The doctors said they wanted him put out because of what he'd been through," Ms Owens said. The slightly-built boy needed 10 stitches to close the gash on his forehead and head, three stitches in his torn eyebrow and a bandage over a puncture wound in his arm where the dog's claw raked him. His face was swollen and both his eyes were bruised and puffy. "It all happened so fast," Ms Owens said. Dog attacks are becoming more frequent and she is worried it is only a matter of time before a child is killed. The dog was taken to the Georgina animal shelter where it was quarantined. The dog's owner has apologized and agreed to have the animal destroyed, Ms Owens said. As for Cody, the attack hasn't left him afraid of dogs. The Owens family has two canines. "I'm not afraid of dogs, just that one," he said. In other recent attacks, Barbara Cripps and her dog Rex were injured by two dogs running loose in Keswick and Kevin Sarasin was badly mauled by a large Tibetan mastiff in Pefferlaw two weeks ago. And the list goes on.....but notice....they all say "DOG ATTACK".....they do not say "LAB ATTACK".....hmmm.....weird.... [/quote]
      • yes that is weird but it heppens everywhere.And i think that the media has too much influence about how people thinking. We have the same with people who arent born in my country and commit crimes.When they are dutch there is a big head in the paper about the dutch people when it is another nationaliteit they dont write about it in the paper .Even twisting stories but everybody believes in what the journal write.When i havent seen it with my own eyes and dont believe it . Wjats in the news isnt objective anymore. :(
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