FLORIDA -- An 11-year-old boy has been hospitalized after a dog bite at his home that severed a finger.
It happened just after 6pm Friday at a home in the 5200 block of 22nd Street Court East in the Oneco area.
According to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office, the boy reached to pet the dog, who was in its cage, through the slots in the cage door. The dog bit the boy's left hand, completely severing the pinky and possibly breaking his forearm.
The child's father then removed the dog from its cage and shot it multiple times, killing it. While waiting for EMS to arrive, he retrieved the finger from the dog's stomach.
The boy was flown to All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg via helicopter. There is no word yet on his condition.
Deputies say an initial investigation supports the father's account and they believe the incident was an accident.
The dog's remains were taken into possession by Animal Control.
(MySunCoast - Mar 29, 2013)
