ILLINOIS -- A 5-year-old boy was hospitalized after being critically injured by dogs Friday morning in Bush Village Park.
Hurst Police Chief Ron Harvel identified the boy as Winston Bankston. According to a Williamson County Sheriff's Office news release, the incident occurred at about 10:24 a.m. The victim was taken to Herrin Hospital with multiple wounds on his face, head and body, according to the release. He was then airlifted to a St. Louis hospital and was listed as being in critical condition.
Taylor said he was in contact with the family Friday and Bankston's condition looks promising. He said Bankston underwent surgery late Friday night.
Lester Taylor, a Bush city worker, said he was checking a water meter nearby when he heard Bankston's mother, Regina Culpepper, scream. The mother left Bankston and his 9-year-old brother in the park to retrieve refreshments from their home across the street.
When she returned, the 9-year-old was running toward her and screaming that dogs were attacking his brother, according to the news release. She witnessed the dogs dragging Bankston and fought them off enough to pick him up.
Taylor said he drove his truck into the park toward the dogs, honking and screaming. He said he saw three dogs attacking Bankston and they began to attack Culpepper's legs after she picked them up. Taylor was able to drive the dogs away long enough for her to take the child into Bush Village Hall.
Harvel arrived on the scene and shot and killed one dog and wounded another. The wounded dog will be euthanized at the request of the owner, Harvel said. The dogs were identified as pit bull mix breeds.
Harvel said the third dog seemed to be a pit bull/boxer mix and after interviewing witnesses, it was determined not to have been part of the attack. He said the dogs were not up to date on their vaccinations and Bankston will have to receive rabies shots.
Taylor said he saw puncture wounds on Bankston's throat and that the boy and his mother were covered in blood. He said Culpepper suffered multiple wounds to her legs. The dogs' owner was identified and interviewed. The Sheriff's Office is continuing the investigation and reports will be forwarded to the Williamson County State's Attorney for review.
Harvel and Williamson County Deputies responded to the call.
Taylor said there are a lot of pit bulls in the area but this is the first attack of this kind he has heard of.
(The Southern - August 7, 2010)
