Rolla police officers respond to a child being attacked by a pit bull

On March 20th, Rolla police officers responded to the 1-thousand block of Lynwood Drive due to a child being attacked by a pit bull. On arrival, officers found a 13-year-old male who had life-threatening injuries due to being attacked by the dog. The child was delivering cupcakes to his neighbor when the pit bull got off his chain and began mauling the child. The owners of the pit bull began attempting to restrain it, but the dog had the child pinned to the ground and was biting the head, neck, and face of the boy. Several adults began pulling the dog from the boy but were unsuccessful. After repeated attempts, the adults were able to remove the dog from the child and get him to safety. The family of the boy, and a neighbor, began life-saving measures. EMS personnel from Phelps Health responded to the scene and immediately took the boy to Phelps Health. The boy was later transferred by helicopter to Children’s Hospital in St. Louis. The child sustained major injuries to his head, neck, and face. Additionally, one adult sustained a dislocated shoulder during the attack. Rolla Animal Control Officers were called to the scene to subdue the dog. It was later transferred to a local veterinary clinic where the dog was euthanized. The dog’s owner was not able to provide proof of current rabies vaccination and was issued a summons. The dog will be examined by a state lab for the rabies virus. This case is still under investigation by the Rolla Police Department.