MISSISSIPPI -- A pit bull attack Saturday in Oktibbeha County left two children injured and one dog dead.
Oktibbeha County Sheriff's Department received a call at approximately 3:47 p.m. from Katie Riehle of 2796 Self Creek Road that her two sons, ages 4 and 10, were bitten by dogs.
Deputies were directed to 1210 Charlottes Way, where the dog attacks occurred. Upon arrival, deputies encountered five dogs and had to shoot the most aggressive of the bunch. Three dogs were placed in pens while the fourth ran away. The fourth dog was apprehended when the owners returned home.
Both children had "numerous bites and scratches" according to an OCSD press release. They were transported to OCH Regional Medical Center. The 10-year-old was later transported to University Medical Center in Jackson.
OCSD Chief Deputy George Carrithers said Monday he was unsure of the condition of either child.
OCSD did not release the name of the dogs' owner. The incident is under investigation as OCSD awaits a response from the district attorney about possible charges.
There will be a hearing in justice court as to the disposition of the dogs, Carrithers said. A date has not been set for the hearing.
"We've been called about this set of dogs a couple times," Carrithers said. "It's mainly been about the dogs harassing people."
Oktibbeha County doesn't have any animal-control ordinances, so deputies could not issue citations in the previous incidents.
Starkville Police Department Animal Control Officer Rick McKee was called by OCSD to assist with transporting the dogs. He said there was blood in the road where the attack occurred.
McKee transported the dogs to the city where they will remain until a justice court hearing.
McKee wouldn't comment on the future of the dogs but said he'd recommend the dogs be euthanized if the incident had happened in the city.
"We deal with pit bulls all the time" McKee said. "By no means are all of them aggressive, but these -- we're monitoring them every day -- have been a little bit unpredictable."
(The Dispatch - August 16, 2011)
