Published: May 15, 2008 03:03 am         

Boy hospitalized after dog attack

PALESTINE — A 6-year-old Palestine boy was hospitalized at a Dallas hospital Wednesday after being attacked by a 2-year-old English Mastiff dog the previous day in the driveway of his residence north of the city limits.

The boy was apparently walking in his driveway in the 9500 block of East FM 321, north of Palestine, near the intersection of Texas 155 when he was attacked by a neighbor’s dog around 6 p.m. Tuesday, according to Anderson County Sheriff Greg Taylor.

As of late Wednesday morning, the sheriff said the boy’s injuries were not believed to be life threatening.

A telephone call to Children’s Medical Center in Dallas seeking the child’s condition had not been returned as of late Wednesday night.

The boy, however, did suffer numerous bites, including “three puncture tear wounds to the upper left thigh” and single bites to the right hip and upper thigh; the lower right back; and the chest, according to Taylor.

The boy also sustained scratches on the upper back, he added.

Taylor said his agency was contacted by personnel at Palestine Regional Medical Center at 6:05 p.m. Tuesday concerning the injured boy.

Sgt. Ryan Tolliver responded to the hospital and interviewed the injured boy and his family, according to the sheriff.

“Fortunately, there were no neck or head bites,” Taylor said. “He’s going to require some sutures and treatments for sure.”

The dog, which was current on its vaccinations, is currently being quarantined at the Anderson County Humane Society, according to the sheriff.

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Paul Stone may be contacted via e-mail at pstone@palestineherald.com

     

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