Sheriff Michael Chitwood reported that an eight-year-old boy in Florida was tragically killed after trying to pet two dogs while riding his bike in his neighborhood. Initially friendly, the dogs suddenly attacked the boy, who died from his injuries right there.
After the incident, the dogs were quarantined by the sheriff’s office, which is now awaiting a decision from the dogs’ owners. They can either hand over the dogs voluntarily or face legal action to remove the dogs... Continue reading here ▶
During a press conference, Chitwood expressed a strong determination to hold the dogs’ owner accountable and ensure the dogs are euthanized, given their danger to the community.
Residents have previously seen the dogs loose and causing trouble, such as killing chickens. Despite these issues, there had been no formal complaints to the police about these dogs before this tragic event.
The local community knew the dogs as problematic, often seen wandering around. They are described as a Pit Bull Terrier and a mix that possibly includes Catahoula or a herding breed.
Chitwood described the boy’s injuries as horrific, noting that he had 12 bite marks. During the attack, the boy’s mother tried to protect him by throwing herself on top of him. Her distress was evident in a 911 call where she was heard crying that her son was not breathing.
The situation escalated when deputies had to chase the dogs for half a mile before they could secure them. Body camera footage captured the intense moment when deputies had to confront the dogs aggressively returning to their owner’s property.
As of now, no charges have been filed against the owner, but the sheriff emphasized the importance of holding her responsible and the intention to proceed with charges.
