Young victim of dog attack still in hospital
A 3-year-old Culpeper boy is recovering in a Charlottesville hospital after he and his grandmother were attacked by two pit bulls Wednesday.
Hunter Ryder and his grandmother, Tammy Powers, 47, were walking near their home in the 21000 block of Mount Pony Road around 10:30 a.m. when the dogs attacked.
Authorities reported that the child received serious wounds to his head and scalp. Reports indicate the woman suffered bite wounds below her waist.
Their injuries are not considered life-threatening, although the child was in the pediatric intensive care unit as of Thursday afternoon. Both were taken to the hospital by helicopter.
An emergency worker on the scene credits Powers with saving the boy’s life by shielding him from the dogs.
A spokeswoman at the University of Virginia Medical Center said no information was available on Powers; however, Culpeper authorities reported Thursday that she was released from the hospital after an overnight stay. The spokeswoman also said that it is hospital policy not to comment on the condition of juvenile patients.
No family members could be reached for comment Thursday evening.
The Culpeper County Animal Control Department is heading the investigation. Director Jamie Bennett said it is still not clear what may have caused the animals to attack.
She said the first person on the scene was an animal control officer. The officer reported he was able to catch the dogs and put them in his vehicle without incident.
Bennett said the dogs, both males between 2 and 3 years old, do not have identification. In accordance with state and local laws, they will be held for about 12 days. If they are not claimed after that time, they will be put to sleep.
Bennett said if someone does come forward, the county will probably take him or her to court to obtain a vicious dog judgment, a legal move that would ensure the animals are put down.
Wednesday’s attack was the second in the county this year. In February, Culpeper police officers shot and killed a 7-year-old male pit bull after neighbors and the officers said the animal tried to attack them. No one was seriously injured in that incident.
Last month, an 11-year-old Rappahannock County girl was hospitalized after police there say a pit bull attacked her at a friend’s house. That dog was later euthanized.
Advertisement
Reader Reactions
I can not grasp the concept because it’s flawed, not because I’m narrow minded. I’ll kill a copperhead if it’s my yard. I’ll play with a black snake. I haven’t said rid the world of dogs, just pits. In my opinion, they’re liken to killer bees, fire ants, gypsy moths. They were created (cross bred) by man and man made a mistake with that one. But it’s okay with me if we disagree. That’s what makes conversation interesting. Didn’t mean to step on toes, just voice my opinion. Sorry for any offense taken. Thanks for the chat.
I didn’t say that I prefer dogs over people as I have a family as well but a life is a life.
My whole point revolves around the point that you can not punish one for the mistakes of all. You can not seem to grasp this concept as you said it yourself that the breed should be eliminated completly. This is a ridculous statement on so many levels.
Why don’t we go ahead and kill all the snakes/bears and other animals that can harm a human being just because they are capable of doing it…. I think not!
I am simply trying to point out the flaws in your thinking from a logical perspective. Your thinking is biased due to the circumstances and that is fine but do not promote the death of an entire species.
Anyway this topic has been typed/talked to death and it is a waste of my time as well as yours as your mind is set and it isn’t going to change but good luck on the narrowminded path.
Recruiterguy…really. People have free will, feel guilt, have a conscience, know right from wrong, make decisions based on intellect, they contemplate, plan, reason, are capable of changing their minds, can talk things through, understand consequences, have measurable IQ. Even if they’re broken, if they’re abilities are limited or diminished, they still possess these things on some level. Regardless of how well a dog is treated or how badly one is mistreated, it retains it’s disposition and instinct. I’ve known some really sweet dogs that have been severely abused and neglected. I love my dog, but it’s just a dog. One of my dogs became partially paralized. Dr’s did all they could for her. She wasn’t going to get any better. She could still get around, but only by dragging her back legs. She wasn’t in any pain. We had to decide whether it was fair to her. Easy choice, painful, but easy. We put her down. Would I do the same to my kids? Of course not. They don’t live like animals, behave like animals, respond to their condition like animals, etc. You may prefer dogs over people, but that doesn’t put them on the same level with us.
I do not see it as that far of a leap from people to dogs. It is the same concept. There are bad people and bad dogs regardless of the breed or color of their skin. You can not punish them all for the wrong doing of a few.
And to mydog, I am not happy that your family is experiencing this tragedy but you should refrain from trying to insult someone who is simply voicing a different opinion that makes actaully sense. That shows lack of calm and self control. I understand the situation is challenging and upsetting but lets not be christians about this.
You also have to consider that these dogs have probable experienced a bit of trauma themselves. Dogs bite/attack based on how they perceive a situation. If the animal feels it is in danger or could be harmed they will defend themselves.
I am not sayin that the boy and his grandmother did anything to these dogs at all so relax. I am saying that the owner and their children may have been the reason for the attack. Did her kids pick on the dogs? Did they throw rocks at them? Did they stay in a kennel all the time. I THINK THAT IF A PROFESSIONAL WERE TO EVALUATE THE SITUATION BEFORE THE INCIDENT we would know why the dogs attacked the two people.
recuiterguy shut your stupid nosey mouth you know nothing
And when I say they all bite, I mean all dogs, not just Pits. I’ve never known one that didn’t at least nip at someone or some other dog at some point in time in their lives. Even my tiny 5 lb. Yorkshire Terrier which thinks he’s a Rotweiler.
It’s not just me who feels like this about Pits. There are some countries around the world that have banned ownership all together. Of course, not all Pits are aggressive, but the ability to be and unpredictability of the breed causes concern. Pits seem to do the most damage when they strike. We’re not talking about dog bites. As I’ve said, they all bite. We’re talking about ripping childrens’ scalps from their skulls. You can’t argue with that, you just can’t.
As I posted previously…
These are just my thoughts and I apologize if I offend anyone. I have been the owner of a Staffordshire terrier for 7 years now. We have had this dog since he was a puppy and we did purchase him through a licensed breeder. I can honestly say this is the best mannered dog we have ever owned. However, we have never been aggressive with the dog and he did not come from a “blood line” that was trained to fight. Also, we have always had this dog registered, he always has tags on and he has never just been let loose to roam around as he pleases. Not for the fact that we are afraid he would hurt anyone, just simply b/c no dog should be allowed to just roam freely. He is very gentle mannered and actually is scared to death of his own shadow. Not to mention if a thunderstorm is coming he literally hides under the sofa. I’m in now way saying that all pit bulls are good dogs. I think there are many out there that have no business being a household pet. However, not everyone who owns a pitbull does so because they believe it makes them look cool. Also, not everyone comes out of the “woodwork” that owns one as well. Not every bloodline of these dogs are trained for fighting. Our dog actually has a family history for strength in pulling, not fighting. A lot of that in fact does have to do with a dogs blood line and how they are raised. These dogs have been bought for all of the wrong reasons and I think that is really a serious problem.
My thoughts and prayers go out to this little boy and his entire family. I think this is just awful and the owners of the dogs need to be held responsible. They obviously have no business with a dog like this or any other dog for that matter.
That’s quite a leap recruiterguy. From mean dogs to mean people. And “type of person”? A person is a person.
Quoting Culpeper qouting someone else “I couldn’t agree more. The breed should all be destroyed. “
Is this the same approach you think we should take with people who kill someone. If one white/black/hispanic or any other type of person for that matter kills someone do you think all white/black/hispanic people should be destroyed? You can not destroy an entire breed because of a few bad apples.
Pit-bulls are one of the most owned dogs in the world much less this country, many of which are in fact owned by the wrong kind of people. If people had as many labs or shepards you would hear about them more often.
I am not saying all of these animals are good because we all know that is not the case. But the truth of the matter is that these dogs were breed to protect people not kill them so don’t try to make them out to be mindless killing machines.
They are powerfull animals and there should be rules to owning them but you can’t destory and entire breed because of unfortunate events.
Again, I hope the little boy heals fine and recovers quickly but I am sure he will grow up with a deathly fear of many dogs not just a pitbull.
Advertisement