A pit bull breaks free and attacks an 8-year-old boy in Indio

A young pit bull escaped from his kennel and attacked an 8-year-old boy at his aunt’s home in Indio around 3 p.m. Monday, an official said.

“This dog got out of his kennel or crate somehow, and ran right at the child and attacked him,” said John Welsh, public information officer at the services. Riverside County Animal Care.

The boy’s grandmother and a second woman, also a relative, fought the 2-year-old dog against the child and put him in a backyard. The attack happened in the 47-000 block of Calle Diamante.

The boy, who suffered facial injuries, was driven by his father to the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center in Indio, and from there he was airlifted to Loma Linda University Medical Center, said Welsh. Loma Linda spokeswoman Lisa Aubry said Monday evening that the young patient was discharged in stable condition earlier in the day.

The dog was turned over to county animal services to be euthanized.

“I can’t remember the last time we had an airlifted dog attack victim, and we’ve had serious incidents before,” Welsh said. “We are always very worried when a child is attacked, because these breeds of bullies have great strength and power.”

He added that owners of pit bulls and other potentially aggressive breeds should always be on their guard, even if an animal has never been violent.

“The general public should be aware that if they have a dog capable of causing serious harm, they should take extra precautions, and these should always be followed,” Welsh said. “It’s so sad when a child is injured.”

Janet Wilson is a staff writer for The Desert Sun. She can be contacted at [email protected]