Illinois: Six-year-old boy recovering after being mauled by two Pit Bulls while at a birthday party

ILLINOIS -- A Chicago boy was at a birthday party Monday when two dogs mauled him. Now the boy, 6, is smiling through his bandages, saying he can’t wait to leave the hospital.

Lenard McKinnis is in good spirits and in good health. His family will know more about his health Monday, when he has another surgery scheduled in which doctors will start taking some of the stitches out.

Lenard has been at Comer Children’s Hospital since the attack. He has a lot of stitches in his face, his legs and his hand, as well as stitches holding his earlobe on. He may also need to get a plate put into his face, according to his family. Doctors will know more Monday.

 

 

Lenard was at a birthday party in the 7400 block of South Champlain Avenue when two dogs got away from their owner. One grabbed onto Lenard. As he was trying to escape, a neighbor caught the dogs on video.

The boy’s aunt and legal guardian, Cindey Upchurch, has been by his side since the attack.

“When I saw him, I started to cry, and he told me, ‘Don’t cry,’” Upchurch said. “He wasn’t crying. I haven’t seen him cry throughout all of this. So it’s like, I just have to stay strong for him.”

Lenard said he is excited to get out of the hospital and start first grade, which is a few weeks away.

The two dogs that were involved in this attack were turned over by their owner and put down by the authorities.

GoFundMe: Mommie's Angel Fund
Created August 7, 2014 by Sindey Cece
  Medical
  CHICAGO, IL

Lenard Armani Mckinnis was viciously attacked by a pit bull dog on August 4th at a kid's birthday party.

He was playing by a jumping bean when 2 stray dogs came out of nowhere and attacked the party Armani was attacked by the dog and loss most of his cheek and part of his ear also he was bite badly in the leg and is in therapy learning how to walk again he still has more plastic surgeries ahead of him and we are in need of some help to cover the medical bills that are piling and will be piling during the course of his recovery.

Armani is a strong young boy who has gone through a lot so young and early in his life but he manages to remain a youthful and happy kid even in his hospital bed. He lost his mother to a deadly car crash at 3 and has been in the care of his auntie since as a family we happy we still have our young and fruitful Lenard and we pray to God this is the end of his rough young journey and he has nothing but happiness ahead of him. Thank You for you time and patience and God Bless You

(WGNTV - August 8, 2014)

Earlier:

• Illinois: Little boy, 6, Attacked by Neighbor's Pit Bull at Birthday Party; relatives beat dog with folding chairs to stop attack