VIRGINIA -- Police in Newport News are crediting a quick thinking bus driver with saving a child from a dog attack Thursday morning.
Lou Thurston with the Newport News Police Department told WAVY.com the 13-year-old was waiting for the bus around 8 a.m. in the 600 block of 29th Street when the dog, a pit bull, charged him and knocked him to the ground. The dog then got on top of the boy before he was able to kick the dog away, Thurston said.
Lou Thurston with the Newport News Police Department told WAVY.com the 13-year-old was waiting for the bus around 8 a.m. in the 600 block of 29th Street when the dog, a pit bull, charged him and knocked him to the ground. The dog then got on top of the boy before he was able to kick the dog away, Thurston said.
Kimberly McEachern, a bus driver who happens to live on 29th Street, stopped home in between her morning routes. McEachern said the boy was running "in zig zags" down the street, and the dog was close behind him.
"The dog was right there, on his heels," said McEachern.
The bus driver said the teen ran to her empty school bus, parked out front. She explained the boy was in the back of the bus and the dog was in the front, when she tried to lure the dog away, closer to her porch.
"I was saying, 'Come on, boy! Come here!'" said McEachern.
At the same time, she motioned for the boy to pull the lever to shut the doors. She said once he did, he sat relieved in the driver's seat while she spoke to the dog through a crack in the front door of her home.
The bus driver said the teen ran to her empty school bus, parked out front. She explained the boy was in the back of the bus and the dog was in the front, when she tried to lure the dog away, closer to her porch.
"I was saying, 'Come on, boy! Come here!'" said McEachern.
At the same time, she motioned for the boy to pull the lever to shut the doors. She said once he did, he sat relieved in the driver's seat while she spoke to the dog through a crack in the front door of her home.
When officers arrived on scene, the dog charged at them as they were waiting for Animal Services to arrive, Thurston said. An officer shot in the dog’s direction twice, striking the dog.
The dog did not immediately succumb to its injuries and was euthanized by a veterinarian, according to Thurston.
The boy suffered only bumps and bruises from falling to the pavement during the chase. His mother siad she took him to school Thursday. She declined interview requests.
The dog did not immediately succumb to its injuries and was euthanized by a veterinarian, according to Thurston.
The boy suffered only bumps and bruises from falling to the pavement during the chase. His mother siad she took him to school Thursday. She declined interview requests.
Officers were able to locate the dog's owner, Garland Chappell, who also lives on 29th Street.
Police said Chappell told them the dog did not have its rabies vaccinations. It is not clear if that was a factor in the attack. The boy is going to be checked for any nips or scratches that could have come from the dog since it was not vaccinated.
Chappell showed WAVY.com the dog's house in his back yard and the chain attached to it. He is not sure how the dog got loose.
Animal services delivered a summons to Chappell's home Thursday for "running at large."
Chappell apologized to the boy's mother.
Chappell showed WAVY.com the dog's house in his back yard and the chain attached to it. He is not sure how the dog got loose.
Animal services delivered a summons to Chappell's home Thursday for "running at large."
Chappell apologized to the boy's mother.
"All I could do is give my sincere apology," said Chappell. When asked if the woman forgave him he said, "She said it was okay. She said she wasn't mad with me."
Chappell said he had his dog "Spike Lee" for two years, since he was a puppy. He said the animal never showed any signs of aggression.
"He let the cats and birds come in and eat his food," said Chappell. "He honestly did. The birds come in and eat his food. He watch the cats and birds and won't do nothing."
Because an officer discharged their weapon, the department’s professional standards office is investigating the incident, as they do in all cases. The officer remains on regular duty at this time.
(WAVY - April 19, 2012)
