Published: July 17, 2007 12:42 pm      

DOG ATTACK: SPCA gets adoption requests for pit bull

The pit bull involved in last week’s attack on a Washburn Street toddler remains at the Niagara County SPCA, and several people have expressed interest in adopting the dog.

Al Chille, executive director if the Niagara County SPCA, said he’s received calls from all over the country about the dog, a 2-year-old pit bull named Bear.

“We’ve got so many requests,” Chille said. “People wanting to adopt, lots of those. People rendering their opinion with regard to the case.”

He said he believes the dog, which has been quiet and well-behaved since arriving at the SPCA, could be successfully adopted.

“We’re going to do everything we can to adopt out the animal into a good home with no children,” he said. “I’m not speculating on what occurred, but there are lots of homes with people who would like (to adopt it). ...It’s a sad situation all around.”

Meanwhile police are still investigating the July 8 attack. The dog allegedly pinned the 2-year-old boy down and sodomized him, causing serious injuries.

Lockport Police Detective Capt. Larry Eggert said the toddler had just removed his own dirty diaper and asked his mother for a new one. She sent him into the living room to get a new diaper and heard him scream a short time later, Eggert said.

The mother went into the living room and reportedly saw the dog had mounted the boy. The woman yelled, which spooked the dog, sending it running out the door and onto the porch, still attached to the boy, Eggert said.

Neighbors reportedly saw what was happening and helped the mother beat the dog to get it away from the boy.

Since the attack, the boy has been at Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Buffalo, where he underwent surgery and is still recovering. Eggert said he may need reconstructive surgery in the future.

The pit bull was impounded at the Niagara County SPCA, where Chille said it will remain until the police investigation is finished.

DNA samples were taken from the dog to compare with DNA samples found on the boy. Eggert said the DNA will verify that the attack in fact took place.

Police are working with the Niagara County District Attorney’s office to determine if any charges will be filed against anyone in the child’s home, but nothing has been determined.

On Thursday night, the dog was transported to the Erie County SPCA, where it was evaluated by behavioral experts in an effort to find out what triggered the attack. The dog stayed there overnight and was transported back to Niagara County SPCA on Friday.

The fate of the dog is unclear. The child’s family has expressed a wish to have it put down, Chille said.

Contact reporter April Amadon at 439-9222, ext. 6251.