A child playing in a backyard was attacked by a neighbor’s dog after the animal apparently found a way through a damaged fence. The incident left the child with injuries and resulted in a citation for the dog’s owner.
Lawrence County deputies responded to a dog bite complaint in the Proctorville area after a family reported that a German Shepherd had entered their yard and attacked a child.
According to the sheriff’s report, the child was in the backyard when the dog came through an opening in a fence and attacked.
The deputy observed redness and abrasions on the child’s left elbow, along with two puncture wounds. The injuries were photographed as part of the investigation.
Dog Apparently Got Through Damaged Fence
The family told deputies the dog belonged to a neighbor.
During the investigation, the deputy examined the fence separating the properties and found damaged or missing boards that appeared to provide an opening for the animal.
The dog’s owner acknowledged that the fence had problems. According to the report, she said she had been trying to get the fence repaired.
The deputy attempted to contact the dog warden but was unable to reach anyone.
The owner was cited for failure to confine a dog and was ordered to appear in Lawrence County Municipal Court.
The deputy also advised the owner that the dog needed to be quarantined for 10 days following the bite.
Ohio’s Avery’s Law Strengthens Dog Owner Responsibilities
Ohio strengthened its dangerous-dog laws earlier this year with legislation commonly known as Avery’s Law, which took effect in March.
The law expanded protections for people injured by dogs and increased consequences for owners who fail to properly control animals that pose a danger.
Ohio law generally requires owners to keep dogs confined to their property or under reasonable control when away from home. Owners of dogs formally designated dangerous or vicious face additional requirements.
A dog bite can also trigger a mandatory observation or quarantine period to monitor for signs of rabies.
Importantly, a citation for failure to confine a dog does not automatically mean the animal has been legally designated dangerous or vicious.
What to Do After a Dog Bite
Anyone bitten by a dog should wash the wound thoroughly and seek medical advice, especially when the skin has been punctured.
Dog bites can cause infections, and a medical professional may need to evaluate whether antibiotics, a tetanus booster or rabies-related treatment is appropriate.
Victims should also report bites to the appropriate animal control or health authorities and document injuries with photographs.
In this case, the sheriff’s report indicates the child’s injuries were documented and the owner was cited. It does not provide information about any subsequent medical treatment or court outcome.
