Child Hospitalized After Dog Attack in Melbourne
On a Thursday a little over a week ago a four year old child was being watched by two unnamed women in a mobile home park in Melbourne when the child was attacked by several of the dogs within the home. According to a report from officers with the Melbourne Police Department, Lt. Steve Sadoff and Sgt. Martin Miller, the situation took place shortly after 1:00 in the afternoon at The Meadows, a mobile home park located just off of Rolling Rock Drive, close to John Rodes Boulevard and Eau Gallie Boulevard.
It seems that the child, who resides on a street other than where the incident occurred, had been left at The Meadows by its parent/guardian and was in the hands of two women who lived in the park. One of the women left the premises, leaving the child behind with the other woman and four dogs. It is believed that at least three of the animals were pit bull mixes, although it is not clear whether or not the fourth dog was also a pit bull mix.
While the woman was away, two of the dogs, for reasons that are not completely clear, suddenly attacked the child. The woman who remained in the home attempted to stave the dogs off, but they violently bit her as well. Fortunately, a neighbor from across the street, Hansen, heard or saw the commotion and was able to enter the home and fend the dogs off long enough to remove the child.
Paramedics were called in immediately and were at the scene after only a few minutes. The child was badly injured, with cuts and punctures all along their body, and the paramedics decided to airlift them to Orlando’s Arnold Palmer Hospital for treatment. Sgt. Miller told authorities that the child is believed to be in stable condition, although they are still recovering from their injuries.
Police took three of the four dogs away from the home and they are currently with animal services while a full investigation into the incident is conducted. There are no prior incidents of any of the dogs attacking or behaving aggressively towards anyone else.
James O. Cunningham
Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.
