Pit bull involved in boy's injury released to owner

Jeffersonville, IN -- A pit bull/boxer mix that reportedly bit between 60 and 70 percent of a 9-year-old's lip off was released to its owner from the New Albany-Floyd County (NAFC) Animal Control and Shelter on Tuesday.

The incident occurred the afternoon of April 13 and New Albany Police officer Jeff McKinley was the first to arrive at the scene of the accident. McKinley said that the 9-year-old had been involved in a fight with a 13-year-old boy and that the older boy's mother had come outside to stop the ruckus and her dog had followed.

Initially the monther claimed that the boy's lip had been ripped away after he had been hit by her son, but reports from the local hospital and EMT officials confirmed that the injury was sustained from the pit bull/boxer mix. McKinley stated that there were no marks on the boy's hands that would corroborate her story and a witness at the scene said that the dog was very aggressive during the scuffle between the two boys.

The 9-year-old victim was transported first to Floyd Memorial Hospital and Health Services and then taken to Kosair Children's Hospital. The young boy's lip was located in the East Fifth and Oak Streets area by New Albany firefighters and given to hospital officials for reattachment.

The unimmunized dog was quarantined for 10 days inside the NA-FC Animal Control and Shelter, per city ordinance, after McKinley determined that the animal had gotten out of its owner's control. The woman was charged a $14 impound fee, as well as $4 a day for the dog's room and board at the animal shelter.

The pit bull/boxer mix was released back into its owner's care on Tuesday afternoon much to the dismay of city government.

"It was our hopes that the dog would not be given back to its owner because it's a potential threat," said Tony Toran, Director of city operations and president of the board of public works and safety. "From what I understand the dog when towards the young man's neck and got his lip."

"That lets us know that the dog was pretty much trained to behave in a vicious manner."

Floyd County Prosecutor Keith Henderson has charged the New Albany woman with a class "C" misdemeanor for harboring a non-immunized dog that causes injury. The misdemeanor charge can carry a fine of up to $500 and 60 days in jail.

 

WTF??? Personally, if the dog jumped and attacked the boy - he should not have been returned to his owner. He should be PTS.