Portsmouth Dog Owner Arrested After American Bulldog Injures Child, 5

When vicious dogs attack, the owner is often responsible for failing to control the animal. I was horrified to read about a recent dog attack in Portsmouth that left a five-year-old girl with terrible injuries.

WAVY.com recently reported on the incident in Kearney Way in Portsmouth a couple weeks ago. A number of charges have been brought against the owner of an Alapaha American bulldog named Yuma. The additional charges were brought after a search of the dog owner’s home that extended to analysis of his Facebook account.

The dog’s owner initially charged with having a vicious dog. Two and a half weeks ago, on September 20, Yuma escaped from his home onto the streets of Portsmouth. Police say the dog later attacked the five-year-old who lives on Kearney Way. The child suffered serious injuries and was treated at Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters (CHKD) in Norfolk. She sustained deep wounds on her face and bruising throughout her body. I was horrified by the ordeal this child suffered. I hope she makes a speedy recovery.

Sabrina Harrington, an eyewitness to the attack, said the dog was on top of the child. Court documents said the dog’s owner was uncooperative when police and animal control officers tried to take the dog away.

WAVY.com spoke to family members of the injured girl who said they believed the attack was unprovoked and they feared another child could be hurt by the dog.

The WAVY report raised further concerns about how the animal was allegedly trained. “They returned a list of items related to Yuma, including: four ‘Best Beast in the East’ awards, a bamboo clatter stick, an agitation whip, ‘Do Not Pet’ collars, a gun, and vet records.”

Police also requested a search warrant of the dog owner’s Facebook account. The court document suggested the page contained alarming posts including many pictures of a dog and videos of attack dogs, including one where a decoy had been bitten by Yuma requiring stitches

The dog owner was also also charged with shooting into an occupied building, reckless handling of a firearm, and manufacturing and selling marijuana. His wife was charged with having a vicious dog. Yuma remains in custody of Animal Control, reported WAVY.

Dog attacks can be very severe in nature and children are often victims. In 2014, there were 48 fatal dog attacks nationally. DogsBite.org reported that almost 50 percent of dog bite victims are children under 13. If you fail to control a dangerous dog you can be liable for the injuries caused. Contact me at 757.455.0077 if you or your child has been the victim of a dog attack in Hampton Roads or Virginia.