Neighbor intervened with shovel after dog attack critically injured North Linden boy, 8

Neighbors used a shovel and baseball bats to go after a pair of dogs who had attacked and severely injured an 8-year old boy Sunday in North Linden, police records show.

The 911 calls and police records released Tuesday highlight the chaotic aftermath of the attack just before 1 p.m. Sunday in the 3500 block of Hiawatha Street.

“Pit bulls are out attacking the boy,” one 911 caller said. “Now they’re walking down the street. Hurry, please.”

Neighbors urged police to hurry to contain the dogs. They said two pit bulls, one grey and white and one brown and white, had attacked the child.

Related article: Child hospitalized, dogs shot by Columbus police after attack in North Linden

Callers told 911 police dispatch that the dogs attacked another neighbor’s dog, then a neighbor. One of the callers could be heard shouting “Get away, get away.” In many of the calls, the dogs can be heard barking continuously in the background.

In another call, the father said the boy’s face and arms were “destroyed” in the dog attack. A responding officer drove the boy and his mother to the hospital in his car rather than wait for paramedics to arrive.

A Columbus Division of Police spokesman said the boy was in “extremely critical” condition in a local hospital on Sunday. His condition was reported as stable Monday, but no current update was available Tuesday.

Police shot the dogs after the attack, but one escaped. One man tried to beat it with a shovel, according to police records, while other neighbors had gathered with baseball bats. Police called for backup to help “secure” the group.

Animal control took the remaining dog at 2:05 p.m. The owners, who live about two blocks away, had secured and leashed the dog, records indicate.

Franklin County Animal Care and Control is investigating how the dogs got loose and the attack. The agency has not responded to numerous requests from The Dispatch for more information about the incident.

bagallion@dispatch.com

This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.