Community mourns loss of toddler fatally attacked by family dogs
A two years old, lost his life in a horrifying dog attack that took place in Umuotube village farm road, Chokota Community, Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State.
According to the grieving father, who wishes to remain anonymous, the two dogs responsible for the tragic incident were put down with lethal injections. The father shared the heart-wrenching details, explaining that the attack occurred while he and the mother were away at work, leaving their seven-year-old daughter alone to care for the dogs.
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In an attempt to feed the dogs, the young girl, who was also known as a brave and responsible sibling, released the animals from their cage. Tragically, as soon as the dogs were free, they immediately launched a vicious assault on the defenseless toddler.
Eyewitnesses, still in shock from the incident, narrates that “When the dogs pounced on the little boy, his seven years old sister tried to rescue him from their grip dogs by hitting them with a stick, but they would not let go until the boy was killed. Through the shout for help from the girl, neighbours rushed into the compound, but boy was already dead.”
Authorities are still working to determine the exact dog breeds involved in the attack, but reports suggest that they may be of foreign origin. This revelation has sparked a broader discussion about the potential risks associated with owning certain breeds that are known to be more aggressive or less compatible with young children.
In light of this heart-wrenching incident, Ndubuisi Nwankwo, a respected traditional ruler of the community advised residents to employ human beings for their security instead of using dogs, especially the foreign breeds which are very wild and unfriendly to young children.
“We advice the members of the community and owners of wild foreign dogs to exercise caution and stop the use of foreign dogs. but to employ the services of registered security personnel. We must all join hands to eliminate criminalities that warrant the rearing of foreign wild dogs”, he said.
The Rivers State Police Command is yet to speak on this incident.