Boy, 9, escapes death

A VISIT to his friend’s home in Diego Martin almost turned fatal for a nine-year-old boy who was attacked and bitten by a Rottweiler on Saturday night. Officers of the West End Police Station told Newsday that Rebecca Jaggernauth, of Gopaul Avenue, Diego Martin, reported to them yesterday morning that her son, Rishie, was invited to a neighbour’s home to play with some children. Rishie was reportedly escorted into the neighbour’s yard around 7 pm, and police said sometime after the boy’s sister, Rheanna, came to get him. On his way out of the yard, however, the little boy was attacked and bitten by the four-year-old dog, who goes by the name of “Sampson.”

The bleeding Rishie was first taken to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital and later transferred to the Mount Hope Medical Sciences Complex, where he was treated and discharged. The Standard Two student of Diego Martin Boys’ RC received 15 stitches to the right side of his head, three to his right ear, one to his right finger and there were two bites on his shoulder. Explaining his ordeal Rishie said: “I could not have done anything,” the petite Rishie told Newsday from his home yesterday. He said he was playing with his friends and his sister came to call him.  “A boy was teasing the dog and then he (dog) jumped on me.  He started on my hand and then went to my head,” Rishie said. He said when he entered the yard “Sampson” was placed on another side of the  yard to allow him to pass, but the animal remained loose.

“He just stood up and took it. He then screamed out for help. He is in lots of pain right now and can’t go to school,” his mother, Rebecca, said. Marlon Banfield, the man who said he feeds “Sampson” told Newsday that if something is not done about the situation, something worse can occur. He said he is not the owner of the dog. Banfield said it was the third time a child has been bitten by “Sampson.” He said two of his children, Amanda and Stephen were bitten in separate incidents almost four years ago. “He (Sampson) is like a human. He does not like to be harassed,” Banfield said. Senior police officers told Newsday that the owner of the dog will be interviewed and if there is a need for prosecution, then the relevant action will be taken. Officers of the West End Police Station are continuing investigations.