INDIANA -- Evansville police said a pit bull bit off a portion of a 9-year-old boy's face Sunday night.
Officers were called to 727 East Columbia Street at 5:15 p.m. where the child's mother was holding a rag over his face, according to EPD Sergeant Jacob Taylor.
Taylor said "basically the whole right cheek was bitten off."
The child was taken to Deaconess Hospital where Taylor said he will require facial reconstruction surgery. Evansville Animal Control took possession of the dog.
The dog was let out of the home by its owner and then ran in a back alley way to where the child was standing outside his home, according to Taylor
A witness said they saw the dog dragging the boy down the alleyway and it bit the child in the face after releasing it, according to Taylor.
Taylor said the child's eye was swollen and black. Officers were unsure of the extent of eye damage. Animal control cited the dog owner. Taylor said criminal charges will also be filed against them at a later date.
The dog owner said the animal was let out by a family member and refused commands to come back, according to Taylor
BLAMING THE VICTIM
The owner said the dog was running at the child to play and was bit because he screamed, according to Taylor.
(Courier Press - Feb 12, 2017)
