Toddler Aged 3-Years-Old Is Viciously Attacked In New York

An upstate New York toddler was injured when a pit bull attacked him on April 20, leaving his face with multiple bite wounds (video below)

The Spring Valley 3-year-old is reportedly recovering after being released from the hospital, WABC reports. Video from a surveillance camera shows the black dog rushing across a street and lunging at the boy, knocking him down.

The attack continued for several seconds before bystanders ran in to help the young boy. After the dog was pulled away, photos show bite marks on the child’s face and neck.

The young boy who was attacked is a member of an Orthodox Jewish community, Daily Mail reports. The Orthodox Jewish Public Affairs Council said the dog’s owner had previously let the pit bull outside without a leash on multiple occasions.

“Neighbors say they have called the Spring Valley PD about this multiple times but little action has been taken,” tweeted the OJPAC.

The dog was reportedly taken back to its owner, and police are investigating whether or not the dog has been violent before.

The same week, on April 17, another toddler was attacked by a pit bull in Puyallup, Washington. The 3-year-old boy needed to undergo reconstructive eye surgery after the incident, KIRO-TV reports.

Authorities told the owner he must surrender the pit bull, Tuffy, by April 28 because the dog has been deemed dangerous.

Sheriff’s spokesman Ed Troyer said Tuffy walked up to the boy and “latched onto his face.” The child’s mother reportedly had to dig her fingers into the dog’s eye sockets to get him to let go of the boy.

Although many reportedly think of pit bulls as dangerous, Jim Gorant, author of “The Lost Dogs,” says that reputation is not entirely earned.

“Every dog is an individual,” said Gorant, according to WebMD. “Pit bulls are just dogs and if they are not raised properly and socialized and treated right, they can have behavior problems. But they aren’t any more problematic than any other breed by nature.”

“On any given day, probably 10 people get bit by a dog,” said Gorant. “But it’s only news when it’s a pit bull.”

“A well-socialized and well-trained pit bull is one of the most delightful, intelligent, and gentle dogs imaginable,” says the ASPCA’s website.

Pamela Reid, the vice president of the ASPCA’s Animal Behavior Center in New York said that while pit bulls aren’t usually aggressive toward people, they can be “less tolerant” of other dogs than most breeds.

“They put their mind to something, and they do it. That’s what makes them great dogs for sports like weight pulling. They are very strong, athletic animals,” said Reid.

WARNING: This video contains disturbing scenes.

Pitt Bull Attacks Orthodox Jewish Toddler In Spring Valley from Matt Duncan on Vimeo.