Three Pit bulls involved in mortally wounding four-year-old Felton boy have been euthanized; their remains have been sent for rabies testing
Contact: Lisa S. Chase, (302) 943-6032, ext. 123, l.chase@fsac-spca.org, or Captain Sherri Warburton, (302) 698-3006, option 1
May 8, 2014, Kent County, DE – Delaware Animal Care and Control is in possession of three pit bull canines that are responsible for mortally wounding a four-year old boy in Felton, DE, on the afternoon of May 7, 2014. The dogs have been euthanized, and their remains will be sent for further rabies testing.
Captain Sherri Warburton, head of Delaware Animal Care and Control, reported that the dogs were unvaccinated, and they were not spayed or neutered.
The incident occurred Wednesday afternoon around 4 p.m. on the 900 block of Edwardsville Road. Delaware State Police say the 4-year-old boy and his pregnant mother were visiting a family friend at the time. The child was in the yard playing with the friend's three pit bulls, whom he had been around several times in the past.
When the child’s mother looked out the window to check on him, she says she saw the dogs attacking her son. While her friend called 911, she ran out in an attempt to save her son, sustaining numerous bites on both arms. Two HVAC repairmen working at the house at the time also attempted to save the young child by fending off the animals with PVC piping.
EMS, troopers and Delaware Animal Care and Control (DEACC) Officers responded to the scene; DEACC took immediate possession of the animals, which were placed in the home’s garage. EMS began first aid on the young boy, but he was soon pronounced dead. His body was turned over the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner who will conduct an autopsy to rule the exact cause and manner of death.
The boy's pregnant mother was transported to Kent General Hospital where she is being treated for her injuries as well as observation.
Delaware Animal Care and Control is under the auspices of the First State Animal Center – SPCA. Delaware Animal Control is the enforcement agency for Title 3, Title 9 and Title 11 laws pertaining to animal welfare. Title 3 pertains to rabies control; Title 9 pertains to housing and dangerous dogs, and Title 11 pertains to animal cruelty.
The mission of the First State Animal Center and SPCA is twofold: they protect animals from people, by prevention of cruelty and suffering, rescue of the trapped or injured, emergency medical treatment, temporary housing for homeless animals and the reduction of homeless pet overpopulation through targeted spay/neuter and education programs; and they protect people from animals through their commitment in placing only stable, safe and well-adjusted animals into homes where they will thrive while simultaneously educating the public about responsible pet guardianship.
Information about the First State Animal Center and SPCA, a non-profit, charitable organization, can be found at www.fsac-spca.org.