West Virginia Boy Recovering
From Pit Bull Attack

Reported by: Marie Coronel
Friday, May 18, 2007 @06:10pm

KEARNEYSVILLE, WV- A teenager had to be rushed into emergency surgery on Friday after he was attacked by his neighbor's pit bull.

The attack happened near Kearneysville, West Virginia in an area known for frequent dog bites.  The father of the victim has been fighting for years to keep vicious dogs off the streets, but now it's personal.

Wayne Wellman's son, Steven, was attacked Friday morning by a pit bull.  It lives a few doors down from them in their neighborhood near hunt drive.  The dog was chained up in the backyard when it got loose.  The father said Wellman tried to pet the dog when it bit his face and parts of his leg.

He underwent surgery Friday afternoon at Jefferson Memorial Hospital, and he is expected to be okay.  For years, his father has been trying to get legislation passed that would place tighter regulations on dogs like pit bulls and rotweilers, but has been unsuccessful.
 
“They need to take action with these dogs around here, especially with the pit bulls, and if it had been a small kid it may have killed him,” said Wellman.

The dog is now with Animal Control.  It will be quarantined for 10 days.  Officers said the owner has given up possession of the dog, and it is likely to be put down.

Animal Control Officers said just last month they responded to eight dog bites in the same neighborhood, all by different dogs.

Wellman said he will keep on fighting for tougher animal laws.