Pit bull attacks child

Published: November 14, 2008 11:10 am  
By Matt Smith
msmith@trcle.com
http://www.cleburnetimesreview.com

CLEBURNE -- A pit bull attacked a 6-year-old girl Sunday in Keene ripping off a 13-inch diameter section of her skull, according to a Dallas television station.

The incident occurred about noon on U.S. 67 at a home about halfway between Keene and Alvarado, said Lt. David Franks of the Keene Fire Department. The department’s ambulance transported Billie Jean Cain to Cook Children’s Medical Center, Franks said.

Cain and her brother, C.J. Cain, 10, were playing near their house when a neighbor’s pit bull broke free of its chain and grabbed Cain by her head, according to reports. Cain’s brother threw a piece of pipe at the dog, which caused the dog to let go of the girl and run off.

Cain’s mother, Sherry Jean Everhart, flagged a man down passing by on U.S. 67. He happened to be an off-duty paramedic with the Godley Fire Department. The man remained on scene until Keene firefighters arrived.

Cain has staples in her head, remains hospitalized and will require more surgery, according to the television station.

Other details regarding her condition have not been released. Cain’s family could not be reached for comment. Franks said he does not know what happened to the dog, and the dog was not at the scene when firefighters arrived.