3-year-old could lose eye after pit bull attacks 2 boys, police say

MICHIGAN -- A 3-year-old Pontiac boy could lose his left eye after being mauled by a pit bull Wednesday evening, police said. An 8-year-old neighbor boy was also bitten after he tried to pulled the dog off the younger boy.

The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office said the attack occurred about 7 p.m. in the 700 block of Melrose.

Deputies said the child had severe bites to his head, face and neck. Police said he sustained several lacerations and may lose his left eye. The boy will also likely have to undergo multiple surgeries.

The child was initially transported to McLaren Hospital, but later transferred to Royal Oak Beaumont Hospital due to the severe nature of his injuries, according to a news release.

The 8-year-old suffered bites to both of his hands when he tried to pull the dog off of the young boy, deputies said. He received several stitches.

Thomas Casbar, who lives across the street from where the attack occurred, said on Thursday he sold the dog to the family on April 9 for $50. Casbar said the dog never displayed any signs of aggression.

Casbar said he was originally watching the dog as a favor for a former co-worker. He said he became stuck with the dog after the co-worker was fired and decided to sell it to the family after the father expressed interest in the pit bull.

“I had the dog for four days,” he said, adding that the father and 8-year-old son played with the dog prior to buying it.

Casbar said he was home when the boy was attacked, but did not hear the screaming. He saw lights flashing and ran outside, where he saw two ambulances and five police vehicles.

“All of the kid’s relatives were all over the block,” Casbar said. “I asked what happened and they said, ‘The pit bull bit the baby.’”

Casbar said when he last spoke with the family, they said the 3-year-old boy was in critical condition.

According to police, the child was in the backyard of the residence with the dog, playing with an 8-year-old neighbor. The dog was on a long, lead leash that was secured to a tree when he attacked the boy.

The parents heard the children screaming and were able to get the dog off of the 3-year-old and took the boy into the house.

The dog, believed to be about a year old, was turned over to the Oakland County Animal Control. Police continue to investigate the incident.

Sandrea Chaney, who lives next door to the family and has three children, and said the attack is a concern for any parent with children. Chaney said she’s observed several dogs roaming through the neighborhood without a leash.

“Sometimes I get scared when I’m getting out of my car because there are a lot of dogs out here,” Chaney said. “It’s always a lot of dogs running around the neighborhood, so I’m always worried about the children out here.”
(Detroit Free Press - April 25, 2014)