Two dogs kill 8-year-old boy in DeLand

On January 14, the Volusia Sheriff’s Office headquartered in DeLand, Florida, shared some horrible news about an eight-year-old boy who lost his life when he was killed by two dogs.  A family in Central Florida is now dealing with the grief of that tragedy after a pair of dogs attacked the boy just north of DeLand.

The attack was reported just before 5 p.m. yesterday in the area of Arabesque Drive and Airport Road, off CR 15A. Witnesses called 911 and began CPR on the boy, but tragically, the child could not survive his injuries.

Responding deputies chased the loose dogs down the road. Volusia County Animal Services officers also responded to the scene and captured both animals, one described as a pit bull and the other a mixed breed.  The dogs have been confiscated and are being held in quarantine by Animal Services.

A joint investigation was commenced by officials to determine the circumstances of the animal attack. Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood held a press briefing on the tragedy earlier today following the preliminary results of the Sheriff Office’s initial investigation.  During that press conference, Chitwood referred to the child’s injuries as “horrific” and said dogs had been “terrorizing” the neighborhood for weeks.

He said the boy was riding his bike with a friend when he stopped to pet one of the dogs. That’s when the attack happened. Chitwood said the boy’s mom dove on top of the boy, according to WESH.

“I don’t know what anyone can say to ease the immense pain this family is feeling tonight,” Chitwood said yesterday evening. “This is a tragedy beyond comprehension, especially for those of us who are parents and grandparents. I can only ask our community to say a prayer of strength for this family and keep them in your hearts as they face their worst nightmare.”

For more on the tragic story that claimed the live of an eight-year-old boy who just wanted to pet a dog, see the video accompanying this article.

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(Source: Volusia Sheriff’s Office)

Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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