Pit bull mauls U.D. boy

8/12/08
By Linda Reilly / Delco Times /Upper Darby, P.A.
http://www.delcotimes.com

UPPER DARBY--- A 12-year-old boy, who was bitten on the nose and face by the family's pit bull late Monday night, remains hospitalized at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Alexander Lester, of the 500 block of South 69th Street, suffered serious bite wounds to the facial area and was transported to CHOP for treatment.

"He's doing OK," said Lester's sister, Tahara Dawson, 16. "They're going to have to keep him for awhile."

The dog, a 2-year-old American pit bull named Sunny, was chained when he attacked the youth shortly after 11 p.m. Aug. 11.

"I'm outraged," Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood said. "Why would you have a family pet chained up inside your house? And why would you have a pit bull with young children in the house?"

The boy's father told the animal control the dog had never been to the vet, was not licensed or immunized, Chitwood said, noting the dog will have to be destroyed for rabies evaluation by the state police. "We're conducting a criminal investigation."
- LINDA REILLY