Knott boy, 3,
attacked by great-grandmother's dog


By Cassondra Kirby
CKIRBY@HERALD-LEADER.COM

A 3-year-old Knott County boy was flown to a West Virginia hospital yesterday morning after his great-grandmother's dog attacked him.

Family members said the dog, Bear, got loose and mauled Hunter Slone, son of Jerry and Tamara Slone, outside the couple's home in Raven. Police said Hunter suffered serious injuries to his face and head.

Kentucky State Police were called to the home about 9:12 a.m. and Hunter was taken by helicopter to Cabell Huntington Hospital in Huntington, W.Va., where he underwent surgery about 3 p.m., hospital officials said.

Hunter received several stitches to his lips and head and is expected to be released from the hospital in the next few days, said his great-grandmother, Elsie Bolen.

Kentucky State Police are still investigating the incident, but no charges had been filed last night.

Bolen, who lives next door to the Slones, said she took the dog in about four years ago when it was only a few weeks old. She said the dog, a mixed breed, is typically chained, but it got loose yesterday.

Bear was eating scrap food in the Slones' yard when he bit Hunter, Bolen said.

"They said a yellow jacket may have stung Bear and that's why he turned on Hunter," Bolen said. "He has never tried to bite anyone before; he has always been a good dog and has been good to Hunter. Hunter feeds him apples all the time."

Bear was taken to Kentucky River Regional Animal Shelter in Hazard, where he will be quarantined and monitored for 10 days for signs of rabies, said Jeff Cornett, the environmental director of the Kentucky River District Health Departments.

He said it is not likely that the dog has rabies.

If the dog is determined to be disease free, Cornett said it will probably still be euthanized because people are reluctant to adopt animals known for biting. He said authorities will make a decision on Monday about what to do with the dog.

Regardless, Bolen has told authorities she doesn't want Bear.

"I don't ever want him back," Bolen said. "I'm just tickled to death that Hunter is going to be OK. It could have been much worse."