Dog attacks 21-month-old Deming toddler


By Kevin Buey Headlight Staff
Article Launched: 05/03/2007
www.scsun-news.com

A 21-month-old boy, bitten by his uncle's dog Saturday afternoon, was transferred to El Paso's Thomason Hospital after initial treatment at Mimbres Memorial Hospital.

No condition report was available Wednesday for Alejandro Cardoza of 503 James Street in Deming.

Fernando Cardoza, 34, 3125 Cabrito Road SE, stabbed the Rottweiler to death even as it bit him, the Luna County Sheriff's Office said. The dog was chained to a spike in the ground in the yard of Victoriano Cardoza, 3205 Cabrito Road. Fernando Cardoza is listed in an LCSO report as being an uncle of the child.

Clara Cardoza said her husband, Victoriano, the dog's owner, was out of town. She provided deputies and Animal Control with current immunization records for the dog. The dog was taken to the Deming Animal Clinic for a necropsy to determine if it was rabid, despite up-to-date immunization. It may be the end of this week before results are known.

Alejandro was bitten on the head and back. Fernando was bitten on the right hand and left leg.

Kevin Buey can be reached at kbuey@demingheadlight.com