Pit Bull To Be Euthanized After Attacking Toddler

LOUISVILLE -- An area toddler and two others were injured when a pit bull went on the attack and couldn't be calmed down.

Video

Baby Bitten On Head, Abdomen

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Discussion: Protective Pets Or Vicious Animals?

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The attacks happened in the 3500 block of Nanz Avenue in Louisville, not far from St. Matthews, WLKY NewsChannel 32's Andy Alcock reported Wednesday.

The 16-month-old was mauled by his family's pit bull Tuesday night and was taken to Louisville's Kosair Children's Hospital. A neighbor said the boy's parents were at the hospital all day Wednesday, but it's not known what condition the child is in, Alcock reported. He was bit in the head and abdomen.

The pit bull now is in quarantine at Metro Animal Services after attacking its owners and the toddler. MAS spokeswoman Jackie Gulbe said it's the first time the dog has caused trouble.

"We had had no complaints on the dog before," she said. "It was a family dog. We don't know how the dog had been treated or brought up. That would play a role in this situation."

After the attack, the family had the option of taking the pit bull to MAS or having an officer pick it up, Alcock reported. Wednesday morning, an officer arrived at the home, but the dog managed to get loose and attacked the officer. And WLKY later learned that a local newspaper reporter tried to help the officer and was injured as well.

"Our officer was attacked on both arms, face, chin, under the eye and the back of the head," Gulbe said.

The officer went to University Hospital to see a plastic surgeon, and the reporter was treated and released.

"Pit bulls are not bad dogs," Gulbe said. "How they are brought up, how they are treated, how they are raised -- that's a male, he's intact, he's not neutered, that plays a role."

The dog will be euthanized, Alcock reported.