Friday, July 20, 2012

'Am I going to die, dad?' Schoolboy is bitten 12 times in dog attack

UNITED KINGDOM -- Sonnie Harker-Greenall needed emergency facial surgery after he was bitten 12 times by a Staffordshire bull terrier. The dog has now been put down.

The nine-year-old from Wigan is expected to be scarred for life and is on a course of medication, including three different painkillers and antibiotics following the attack.


The little boy was taken to Wigan Infirmary, where his dad Kirk Geenall met him. He was so distressed by his injuries that he asked his dad if he was going to die.

"When I first saw him, he just looked at me and asked if he was going to die," says Kirk. "Imagine hearing that from your son; it was horrific. He was given a tetanus jab and antibiotics and he was so scared when he was receiving his treatment.

"I'm so proud with the way he has handled it all though, he's been inspiring. Around 90 minutes after the attack, I took a photo to send to relatives to show how brave he was being and that he was doing as well as he could be.

"As I took the photo, he put his thumbs up for the camera. He was keeping all our spirits up when it was him who had been attacked; he was making all the nurses laugh and showed amazing courage. I am so proud of him."

Sonnie was playing football just before the attack. "I was in the nets and the other team scored so I had to go and get the ball," says the brave schoolboy.

"It had hit the front door of one of the houses, though, and after the lady opened it, the dog came out and then it attacked me. It was very scary and it still really hurts.

"My mum and dad have been looking after me and I'm watching lots of films and playing on by xBox and I got a special Welcome Home cake!"

Sonnie was bitten on his legs, face, ear and hip. He fell over and then was dragged by the dog.

Police confirmed that inquiries into the incident are still ongoing.

Kirk works in truck repairs, and after news of Sonnie's attack spread, a company he carries out work for - Millers of London - raised £99 for a Game voucher for the little boy.

A spokesman said: "Shortly after 6.10pm on Tuesday, July 10, police were called to Pepperwood Drive, Wigan to reports of a young boy had been bitten by a dog.

"Officers arrived to find a nine-year-old boy had been bitten by a dog. He was taken to hospital for treatment. The dog has been destroyed. Inquiries are ongoing."

(ParentDishUK - July 18, 2012)