Updated: The boy has ben identified as Salvador Miguel Cotto.
Update 7/8/11: The case has been officially ruled as a tragic accident. Sources say the medical examiner has said that the infant died from a single bite to the head the caused a cerebral edema. "Chances are the dog was startled and it would never happen again".
It's situations like this that really highlight just how fragile infants are and why the need to strictly monitor them around dogs. Some of the people from Polar's (the dogs) rescue are vying for the dog to be given a second chance -- which leads me to the question, what should happen to a dog involved in an incident like this, but that isn't truly an aggressive dog?
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This is a newly developing story, a six month old infant is dead after a dog attack.
The child was visiting a family member's home in Chesterfield, VA, and was left alone in a room with the family dog, and was bitten by the dog. The child was declared dead later at Virginia Commonwealth Medical Center. The dog was signed over to animal control and will most likely be euthanized.
The dog has been described as both an American Bulldog mix and a Dogo Argentino. The most recent and detailed story are calling it a Dogo Argentino but does once again show the problem with using the media for breed identification. The dog was apparently deaf.
The bigger issue is that once again a case of a dead infant as a result of a child that is new to the household (in this case a visitor) being left alone with a dog that is not well socialized with that child.
It's a tragic story and I"ll post more details as they become available.
Update: The rescue organization that adopted out the dog has said the dog was not a Dogo and was far to small to be one, and that the dog is likely an American Bulldog mix.
The story was only picked up in 17 news outlets.
Hi, I am the current VP of a deaf dogs organization called D2Care or Deaf Dog Connections, Advocacy, Resources and Education. After reading this very sad story I had my share of alarm that the dog was specifically identified as deaf since we are fighting an uphill battle tolet folks know that deaf dogs are as safe as hearing dogs. The shelter that Polar came from (the dog in this event) has contacted us to let us know the history of Polar, her personality and the unfortunate events. I have been given permission to share. Please let me know if you wish their side of the story.
Posted by: Katrina | July 01, 2011 at 01:25 PM
Katrina -- I would love you to share their report on the story.
I personally have met many deaf dogs and have found most to be just like other dogs and to be perfectly great pets. In fact, several I've met have been very attentive to their owners because they rely so much on the physical signs to know what to do (where non-deaf dogs await verbal cues).
But would love to hear what they have to say....
Posted by: Brent | July 01, 2011 at 01:28 PM
Here is the story from one of the volunteers that worked with Polar. I have removed the names of the family devestated by their loss only:
Just so everyone knows, this is Polar, she was placed in approximately 2002/2003 with the XXXX family. Polar is at best guess an American Bulldog mix, it is what the original shelter tagged her as. We DO NOT BELIEVE SHE IS A DOGO.
Polar originally came from a GA shelter as an abuse and neglect case, who had her ears "cropped" with rubber bands causing a severe infection. Polar was rescued by a volunteer who was deaf, treated until healthy and then initially adopted by a family was deaf, unfortunately, their male American Bulldog would attack Polar at night when the family couldn't hear. In the last attack, Polar was severely wounded so the family decided for her sake to rehome her. A volunteer at the time, picked her up and drove her down to meet her new foster parent. This sweet polar bear was with her foster home for about 4-6 months while the wound on her leg, inflicted by the male American Bulldog, was treated, while she was receiving treatment her foster parent clearly remembers she would lick her while whining softly because it would hurt. Always a sweetheart with people, initially shy in new situations, she quickly started getting over it, and wiggle her but at people, especially children, until she convinced them to pet her and play.
Polar acclimated to her foster home which housed other large dogs, initially shy and careful around the other large dogs, she quickly became a favorite playmate of most of the other dogs as she was a sweetie and a great goofy pup. Her foster parent would check on Polar while sleeping, startle her, and she never reacted in any aggressive or fearful manner. Polar knew a lot of hand signals benefit of her previous training with deaf families, and was easily trainable. Her happy personality easily made her a favorite foster pup, and a great success at adoption events or socialization opportunities. Polar recovered from her wound and was matched with the XXXX family, they had older children, and were willing to learn hand signals, and it was mutual love the first time they met.
This devastating situation has been a harsh blow to those volunteers who knew Polar. We are more inclined to think Polar was trying to help, or made a non-aggressive gesture of moving a child before we would ever believe she would act aggressively towards a child. Polar deserves an opportunity to be tested, or to have further investigation take place before she is euthanized. We hope that Chesterfield County reconsiders this situation before causing the end of a second life to such a tragic accident. Our deepest sincere condolences go to this child's mother, the XXXX family and their loved ones - as well as Polar.
If you do not receive the picture please let us know.
S. Rodriguez
Dogo Argentino Education, Referral & Rescue, Incorporated
www.daerrs.org
http://casadephynix.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Katrina | July 01, 2011 at 09:03 PM
Polar has now been labeled a vicious dog. The link to the law that gave her this label is
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+3.2-6540.
We have been told that she will be killed as early as Friday, July 8. There is a family that wants to foster here through a deaf dog rescue, but unless the judge acquires a heart, we may not be able to pull this off. Any help appreciated.
Posted by: Katrina McGinnis | July 06, 2011 at 11:15 PM
I've been following this story on our local VA news. Sadly Polar was reported euthanized this morning.
Posted by: James | July 14, 2011 at 06:26 AM