7-year-old doing fine, animal to be quarantined today
Posted On: Tuesday, Sep. 15 2009 05:08 AM
By Victor O'Brien
Killeen Daily HeraldA large dog attacked a 7-year-old boy causing minor injuries Monday afternoon.
The German Shepherd and Labrador mix is expected to be quarantined today for nine days by the owner.
The dog escaped from its home in the 3800 block of Palmtree Lane in Killeen around 4:30 p.m. Monday. The dog attacked the boy as he was walking down the street, Killeen officer David Daniels III said.
Several children escaped when a bus driver who dropped them off opened the bus's door, protecting the children from the dog.
"I'm sure he was scared. Other than that he's fine," Daniels said.
The boy suffered several small bites to the underarm. Paramedics treated him at his home next door to where the dog lived and the attack happened.
The owner is required to place the dog in quarantine with a local veterinary clinic by today, Animal Control officer Roy Johnson said. The owner was required to keep the dog inside overnight Monday.
The dog will be monitored for nine days in quarantine for signs of health problems including rabies. The only way to test a dog for rabies without euthanizing it is to monitor behavior, Johnson said.
Johnson declined to give the woman a citation because he did not witness the attack and witness accounts differed on whether the attack happened in the dog's yard.
The investigation is ongoing and a citation could be issued at a later date. Johnson said he was not aware of any other reports against the dog.
The dog's owner and the victim's family declined comment.
Contact Victor O'Brien at
vobrien@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7468.