My 5 Year old was attacked by 7 dogs, County says they get to live!
By flagbabygirl
@flagbabygirl (891)
United States
April 23, 2007 12:58pm CST
Hi all I have been gone for a while. In part because my little 5 year old boy Cody bear was attacked and almost killed by 7 Horrible dogs!
Saturday April 7th my son was playing outdoors. I had bundled him up a little and he was wearing his big brothers sweatshirt. I had just got his shoes on and sent him out to play in our FULLY FENCED back yard. I was changing over the laundry and heard Screaming coming from outside. It didn't even sound like my son. I ran to the front of the house and looked out our kitchen window that faces the backyard. I saw several dogs from my neighbors yard had drug my sons arm through the fence and they were attacking him!
I ran towards the front door and had broken free and was limping towards the front of the house. All I saw was blood everywhere I was screaming.... I was so upset, i dialed 911 as I picked him up over my shoulder and carried him into the house. I sat him on the kitchen table to look at him and I could not tell where the injuries were due to the amount of blood. I was holding a towel on him and the 911 operator told me to stay calm... STAY CALM? yeah right. My son was screaming but it was becoming faint, and his eyes were rolling back in his head. I had to go open the gate that was locked out in front of our house. I was afraid they could not get to my son to help him.( we have 3 acres fenced acres with a large metal gate at the front that is padlocked.) I ran to the gate opening it, I could hear Cody screaming inside and my legs felt like mudd. I ran back to the house holding my little boy who was bleeding everywhere. I then noticed gaping holes at his neck, Arm, Shoulder, and there was something bad on the back of his head. The ambulance showed up and they took control I called my husband who rushed home saw our Son and LOST IT! He was screaming he was going to kill the dogs over and over. The Police arrested him for disorderly conduct. The medics stabilized Cody and got him loaded into the ambulance. I rode with him to the Hospital with lights and sirens blaring. He underwent 5 hours of stitches and staples to sew him back together. Animal control contacted me in the emergency room while my son was still in TRAUMA, and told me the dogs would be quarantined for 10 days then released! I told this woman to get the heck out of my face and that they should be put to sleep. I am still fighting the county and the dogs are back in their yard. I am furious at this and Have written everyone I know trying to get Cody's law instated. If a child OR human being is viciously attacked by animals they should be put to sleep no matter what! These dogs were already responsible for the attack on our puppy bear. Bear also almost died because they ripped him neck open from one side to the other. Animal control did nothing in that situation either. The dogs are mutts mixed breeds but their are a lot of them and they act like a pack. Something must be done to stop them from attacking another innocent person! Thanks for listening to a Mother rant! By the way Cody is home and feeling better but is severely traumatized and it will take years for him to heal fully.
19 people like this
46 responses
@goshimhappy (334)
• United States
23 Apr 07
Thats horrible, did you at least get a settlement for your sons physical and mental damage?
2 people like this
@goodwealth_01 (94)
• United States
24 Apr 07
Why are you letting your kid tease the dogs over the fence. And in most citys people are not allowed to have bears.
1 person likes this
@Impervious (1147)
• United States
24 Apr 07
Talk about bad taste, it's a five year old
1 person likes this
@Latrivia (2878)
• United States
24 Apr 07
If that was an attempt at sarcasm, you failed miserably.
Re-read the original post. She wasn't letting him tease the dogs. Even if he were, a normal, mild mannered dog would never have done that much damage. I've been bitten by enough animals to know that.
1 person likes this
@flagbabygirl (891)
• United States
23 Apr 07
www.Arizonadailysun.com Thanks we are trying to do just that! Thank you for your help! Cody's mom!
@flagbabygirl (891)
• United States
23 Apr 07
Sorry website is wrong correct one is www.azdailysun.com
@flagbabygirl (891)
• United States
23 Apr 07
We are also trying to get this story NOTICED they would not run it on Phoenix stations Please contact the Phoenix nes station at www.12news.com. You can send them emails and the more mail they get the more my sons story will be heard! Thank you in advance Codys Mama
@KissThis (3003)
• United States
23 Apr 07
I am truly sorry for what happened to poor little Cody. I am glad that he is doing fine however. If I was you I would be sueing the people that own those dogs. Apparently no one wants to take responsibiltty over what these animals are doing. A judge should find them liable for all the pain and suffering your poor family have been through. Possibly a judge could even order the dogs be put down for thei ferious behavior. I would be contacting a laywer to see what my legal rights are.
1 person likes this
@flagbabygirl (891)
• United States
23 Apr 07
I got a lawyer while I was still at the hospital with cody. We are fighting it but it could take up to a year to even get the dogs put down.
@robertofootball (264)
• Canada
24 Apr 07
It's a shame this has to happen but people have to understand that the animals themselves are not responsible for acting like an animal. The owners have to bare responsibility for their animals behaviour.
1 person likes this
@CritterKeeper (519)
• United States
24 Apr 07
Of course the blame should be on the owners of these dogs because it is always the owner's fault ultimately. That doesn't change the fact that these dogs have proven that they are a danger to others and should be put down.
1 person likes this
@flagbabygirl (891)
• United States
29 Apr 07
My email is flagbabygirl@yahoo.com Thanks to you and yours!
@flagbabygirl (891)
• United States
23 Apr 07
Thank you sooooooo much! It is good hearted people like you that make a difference in the world for me and my family. I am working hard on getting this message out there. Any ideas that people have would be greatly appreciated! Thank you again and God bless!
@mickidmw (992)
• United States
24 Apr 07
Hey flagbabygirl...contact me at mickidmw@yahoo.com, I have gotten a reply back from the editor, Randy at your newspaper, he wants your contact information so they can do a story!!!!!!!!! Contact me right away with your email address and I will send it to you or you can just give me the info and I can forward it to them!!!!! See it works!!!
1 person likes this
@tdbrower1969 (1242)
• United States
23 Apr 07
I am so sorry that your son had to go through that and now you are fighting to have the dogs put down. I know that here in Missouri there were people that were attacked by pit bulls and there is now a ban on pit bulls in most cities. The owners of those dogs should do the right thing and have the animals put down. It sounds like they do not have any qualities that would make them good dogs. I can't believe the county is just letting them go back home after a quarantine. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Cody. I hope he continues to get better and I hope that justice is served.
@DesigningLife (903)
• United States
24 Apr 07
I clench my teeth at breed bashing and banning. Their are "people" who should be banned from ever owning a dog.
I have a lot of respect for the original poster for never mentioning the breed. It does not matter. HUMANS are the ones who created the monsters either directly or indirectly through their ignorance and should be punished. Dogs "learn" whether we leave them to form their behaviours based on chance or take an active role. They have let a vicious pack form under their noses and that is supposed to be ok because they are of certain "breeds"? Backwards thinking....all wrong.
I know that you are not the one bashing a breed and do not intend for this post to sound that way or seem inflammatory - it isnt aimed at you at all. I just wanted to emphasize that anyone having a dog is 100% responsible for its behavior and actions, yet society finds it easier and less emotionally painful to just blame an entire breed....which, by the way, MAN created and won't take responsibility for.
2 people like this
@DesigningLife (903)
• United States
24 Apr 07
Yes, amazingly after wearing bite sleeves and training protection dogs - Pitts, Rotts, Shepherds, Bouviers, Malinois, etc, etc, the ONLY dog that EVER bit me "of his own accord" was a Miniature Schnauzer long before I learned much of anything about dogs.
Thank you so much for contributing to this thread! I think the OP needs some support from those who have studied dogs and their behavior to levels a bit beyond the average citizen. As a trainer, I can say honestly that we (well "I" anyway) never stop learning. Having owned a certain number of dogs, or certain type of dog, or training particular dogs does NOT make anybody the supreme authority. I thoroughly enjoy continued learning and sharing of ideas, concepts, educating the public to promote positive canine-human experiences, etc.
I have a website www.k-9campus.com patterned after my prior dog biz and a new message board I am working on for it. I invite you or any dog enthusiast (or even those curious and just wanting to learn or share, to participate).
Will you be contacting the links the OP has posted (news link, etc)? I am compiling a letter to send via email for her. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintence.
1 person likes this
@CritterKeeper (519)
• United States
24 Apr 07
I'm with you all the way on this, DesigningLife!! I have NEVER met a dog yet in all my years of working with "difficult" dogs or "biters" when it couldn't be traced back to ignorant humans. Even the ONE I had to put down it can be chalked up to people failed this dog! The dog was not "born bad" somehow!
I tell everyone who'll listen that I have yet to meet an aggressive pitt! Every single one I've ever met to date was wiggling all over trying to get to me long enough to overflow my lap and lick my face off! The "viscious" ones I worked with came from many different breeds and mixes but not ONE pitt. Even then these dogs did not deserve the label of "viscious"! Every single one had bitten or snapped for some understandable (to someone who understands dogs well enough that is!) reason and only needed some work to get over it.
2 people like this
@creativedreamweaver (7297)
• United States
23 Apr 07
My son was attacked by a neighbors dog when he was about 5. It ripped his side open and he had to have multiple stitches. The neighbors put the dog down, after it had served it's quarentine. I can't imagine your poor son being attacked by 7 dogs. That is awful. My son is still afraid of certain types of dogs and he is 19. I can only guess at how traumatized Cody is. I am soooo sorry for him and you. Poor baby. If the county won't do their job... I seriously suggest filing a civil suit against the owner(s) of the these vicious beasts. No dog that attacks, especially a child, should be kept alive. If they do it once, they will do it again. And they have established a pattern of threatening behavior. Another thing, have you spoken with an Animal Control supervisor? I would suggest if you haven't to try that avenue as well. But I think a civil suit for damages and having the dogs put down is in order. My prayers are with you and Cody. Blessings.
1 person likes this
@flagbabygirl (891)
• United States
23 Apr 07
Thanks for your comments, and yes we have a lawyer a good expensive one! He is going after the county and Animal control and the owners and the dgs. We will see but it looks good so far!
@Foxxee (3651)
• United States
28 Apr 07
I just read the story about your son and I have to say that I am upset about all this. I can't believe after what those dogs did to Cody, they havn't been put down. I guess everyone is just going to wait until these dogs actually kill a child one day? Those dogs could of killed your son. I just don't understand the system. Something needs to be done. If this happened to one of my kids and the system didn't do nothing about it, I'm sorry, but my big body would be right over that fence and I would be kicking the holly heck out of all 7 dogs or I would just give them some rat poison. Those dogs don't deserve to be around humans. And I'm sorry if noone likes what I have to say, but the kid is more important then those dogs. I don't care what the case is. I would fight this. You should get a petition going on. I will be the first to sign it. Those dogs got to go. What if they do it again?
1 person likes this
@hrwriter (9)
• United States
24 Apr 07
Wow! First let me say thank heavens your little boy is on the mend. What a horrible thing for him and your family to have to go through. I'm not blessed to be a mom, BUT I am an Aunt and I know how I'd feel if this had happened to one of my nieces or nephew. Keep up you fight; not only for Cody and your peace of mind, but for any other potential victims. It just floors me how the autorities won't take action, especially since this is not an isolated incident. AND your husband gets arrested for disorderly conduct?!? How crazy is that? I didn't see it in your post, but were they pit bulls by chance? We had a neighbor who use to breed them for money. He and his friends all had these dogs they'd train to fight. Our neighbor's prized dog was scary. He never barked, but you'd look down and he'd be sitting next to you. Since we knew he had killed other dogs, this made him frightening. You just never knew if/when he might attack you. AND he didn't frighten at all. It was like he was daring you or something. When tey moved, I was relieved. I am a dog lover, but that dog gave me the chills. Anyway, I hope Cody heals fast (as kids can do) and wish you success with your fight against the county.
1 person likes this
@SilentRose19 (1733)
• United States
24 Apr 07
just because its a pit bull doesn't mean its dangerous, if they trained it then it would be. I actually picked up a full grown pit bull of the side of the road and ist the friendliest dog i've ever had. And she had three puppies that we kept and they're not aggressive. The only bad thing about pit bulls is they're like a crocodile, they lock they're jaw and don't let go. Some pit bulls give me the creeps to, but its not the dogs fault its the neighboors fault for raising it dangerously.
@happythoughts (4109)
• United States
23 Apr 07
Your story brought tears to my eyes. That is such an injustice. I cant imagine going through it. I have a 5 year old boy and a 2 year old girl and they are my everythings. Is there anything we can do to help? Maybe letters from other parents might help the county see that other people care. If a dog has attacked once they are more likely to do it again, why give them the chance? I am so sorry you had to go through that.
@happythoughts (4109)
• United States
24 Apr 07
Thank you. I will get right on it.
1 person likes this
@flagbabygirl (891)
• United States
24 Apr 07
Please note I am having all my friends contact www.azdailysun.com and www.12news.com Thank you for anything you can do in advance! Yes I am working on it!
@Lavera1 (896)
• United States
23 Apr 07
I thank You Father God that Cody is healed from the top of his head to the souls of his feet in Jesus name. And that he won't be traumatized by this attack for the rest of his life. I also thank You that the dogs have been put to sleep that attacked the child. And I speak peace and safety over Flag and her family in Jesus. Amen.
@princeworthy (1909)
• United States
23 Apr 07
I am sorry to hear about this attack flagbabygirl. I am glad that your son is doing better! I can't believe that the officals are going to allow this to happen and not do anything about it! It is outragous and unacceptable. Let me know what I can do hon! I am glad to see you back too I was worried about you.
1 person likes this
@Modestah (11179)
• United States
29 Apr 07
I hope the owner's will be severely fined for allowing this to happen, especially unprovoked. I am astonished that the law won't require them to be put down - but even if they don't I am more astonished that the owner's won't have them put down. Their home owner's insurance needs to be sued for damages and pain and suffering on both your son's behalf and your own. then maybe the home owner's insurance will insist the animals be put down (so they will not have yet another law suit in the future when they misbehave again)
1 person likes this
@CritterKeeper (519)
• United States
24 Apr 07
I didn't read through all the responses to this but had to add one! You won't find a more true blue animal lover than me! I spent out of my own pocket for over 10 yrs rescuing and rehabbing animals and still do to a more limited degree. I actually specialized in dogs labelled "viscious" because the great majority of the time these dogs are misunderstood and only need the proper training. But if any one of my rescues had mauled a child like this in their history I would not have hesitated an instant to put it to sleep!! This is not the same as a fear bite, a food aggressive bite, this was a MAULING! There's no doubt, I pity the dogs because it is always the owner's fault through neglect, abuse, lack of training or socialization, whatever but once a dog is mentally damaged enough to do this kind of thing the kindest thing is really to put them down! It just saves everyone, the dogs from a miserable life, the owner's from the problems associated with having the dogs, and especially anyone that may come in contact with the dogs! The dogs obviously shouldn't be kept by the owners and even with my experience in rehabbing biters I could never trust that these dogs were stable enough to be adopted out no matter how many years of work I put into them.
I guess it's not making the news because they're mutts and not those oh so dangerous walking time bombs, pitts. Ugh, it just disgusts me! Every pitt I've met was a big, face licking, wiggley snugglebaby but the press is so hot to report on them as if they're all monsters then something like this happens and they just don't care!
I don't blame your husband for losing it one little bit! I'm a mother too and if this happened to one of my children I would be out for blood!! You sue those people for every single penny you can wring out of them!! It's not about the money, although I'm sure that some would be nice to repay the costs you're going to incur through all of this, but it's mostly the principle of the matter. Some of these idiots only understand when it hits them in the pocketbook! Not to mention that there is NO amount of money that could make up for the pain, trauma, and future impacts of this on all of you.
I wish I were there to give Cody a big hug! I'm just sick that any precious child has to go through this. Please tell him from me that I'll be praying for him, that no matter what those dogs had no reason or right to hurt him, and not all dogs are horrible like that. I wish he could meet my big ole great dane mush baby, Hudson. Huds adores our boys! If there is anything I can do, write letters, help contact someone who could be of any help, whatever please let me know! You stay strong and go the distance! The next life you save could be someone else's child!
1 person likes this
@flagbabygirl (891)
• United States
28 Apr 07
Please send corespondence to he Arizona News stations you can give them my email or even Phone number That is flagbabygirl@yahoo.com also my number is 928-221-3126 Prob not wise to post but there it is. Also everyone could contact www.azdailysun.com there is a story of cody on there right now, He was front page news yesterday! The pheonix stations are KPHO channel 5, Channel 15, Channel 3, and channel 12, if you put in Phoenix and the channel it will give you their address, I would also like people to contact the Arizona Republic That is an Arizona statewide paper. Thanks in advance for all support!
Cody's mama
@ThulsZ (784)
• India
24 Apr 07
I am truly sorry for what happened to poor little Cody. I am glad that he is doing fine however. If I was you I would be punishing the people that own those dogs. Apparently no one wants to take responsibility over what these animals are doing.
@soldenski (2503)
• United States
24 Apr 07
Wow!! Where do you live??? That is rediculous!!! I would sue the homeowner's (of the dog's) and also look into suing the county because they allowed animal control to return the dog's even after they attacked your dog. Not that suing is going to ease your son's truama but something need's to be done to prevent this from happening again. A friend of mine, was bitten by a dog, about 20 years ago, her family sued the dog owner and she is getting yearly installment's on a settlement she received. And the dog was put down, she had a few scar's on her face, which have since faded. You have to look out for what is best for your son, imagine him having to live next to the dog's who attacked him. Good luck to you and your family
1 person likes this
@retardedrugrat (4791)
• Canada
24 Apr 07
I am truly sorry for what has happened to your son. What a terrible terrible thing for him to have to go through.
I'm also absolutely flabbergasted that these dogs have been allowed to live. What does it take these days for them to decide that dogs are dangerous? Isn't attacking another animal and a child enough to convince these people??
Please know that if there is anything you think I can do, let me know. I hate to hear stories like this and to hear that nothing is being done about it.
I'm glad your son is feeling better, but I understand about the trauma. I hope he can start to get past it and start to live his life again.
1 person likes this
@jianguoni (81)
• China
24 Apr 07
hi flagbabygirl, I'm a new here ,I'm from another country although I cannot completed understand your writing , I think the dog is very dangers for kids,in our city limited
raises dogs.I heartfeltly expected you child soon will be restored to health.
1 person likes this
