Spencer Giordano is still recovering after a boxer named Rocko attacked him Saturday, Pasco investigators say. The dog bit a gash in Spencer's lip that required stitches.
The attack also left Spencer, 13, with plenty of cuts and scratches. Spencer and a few friends were wrestling outside a home on Basswood Street in Land O' Lakes when the dog came out of nowhere.
"I was just so scared; I didn't know what was going to happen next," Spencer said. "I was either going to get injured or just get killed."
Spencer said he couldn't run away fast enough from the dog.
"I was so scared at that moment," Spencer said. "I didn't know what to do."
Luckily, Brendon Gibbons heard Spencer screaming for help and came to his rescue.
"I just kinda picked Spencer up and started running him over to my house," Gibbons said. "But Rocko still kept trying to get him, and that's when I kicked him."
Rocko's owner, Kimberly Kokocha, said her dog is very friendly and she doesn't understand why he attacked Spencer. Kotocha said it could be that the dog was just trying to protect her kids.
"I think that maybe it was just a protective instinct," Kokocha said. "Thinking maybe the other child was jumping on him because they were all outside screaming and playing."
The dog has been at Kokocha's house since the attack.
Spencer's mom, Jennifer, doesn't understand why Animal Services hasn't picked up the dog yet.
Jennifer Giordano believes the dog could hurt someone else if it got on the loose again.
"That worries me that the dog is still there," Jennifer Giordano said. "It's in the house, and if it's gotten out before, what's to say it can't happen and get out and attack someone else?"
Spencer said this is the third run-in with the dog. Bay News 9 was told the dog may have to be put down. That's what Spencer and his mom would like to see.
Both families said this is just a terrible accident. They are supporting each other though this difficult time. The Kokocha's even gave Spencer gifts to make sure he's OK.
"It's a lot of healing," Giordano said. "Emotionally and physically for everyone."
The two families wanted it to be clear that they're not holding any grudges against each other. They just want what's best from a painful situation.
Officials with Pasco Animal Services said some type of resolution would be reached this week.
(Bay News 9 - Feb 21, 2012)
