DANVILLE, Va. (WSET) -- An 8-year-old boy has died following an attack by the family dog on Berryman Avenue, according to Danville police. The tragic incident occurred around 8 p.m. Tuesday; officers found the boy unconscious, with apparent bite wounds to his neck.
Neighbors expressed their sorrow upon hearing the news. Tenita Younger, who lives nearby, said, "It made me feel sad and hurt." Kenyetta Atkins, another neighbor, added, "I ain't like it. That's too sad how the little boy died like that."
In response to the tragedy, Danville police conducted a "Heart Walk" in the neighborhood, speaking with residents to offer support. Matt Bell, a public relations specialist with the Danville Police Department, explained, "Whenever there's a traumatic event that occurs, the Danville Police Department holds heart walks in the area to do exactly what we're doing here today, again offering those services and letting people know what happened."
Younger appreciated the police presence, saying, "I feel like it was a good thing to do 'cause they're making sure everybody else in the neighborhood is good and all that."
Police said that the boy's teenage sister was reportedly watching him when the attack happened. The family stated to authorities that the 4-year-old dog had never shown signs of aggression before. The animal has been seized and is currently held at the Humane Society, where it will be observed for 10 days to check for rabies. It will be euthanized after the observation period.
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Paulette Dean, executive director of the Danville Area Humane Society, provided ABC13 with this statement:
"We join the entire community in grieving for the loss of a young, innocent life last night. As the public animal shelter and by order of the Health Department, it is our responsibility to quarantine the dog for ten days as required by the laws regarding rabies. The owner signed ownership of the dog to us.
"During those ten days, if the dog becomes sick, we will contact the Health Department for guidance. Also, if at any time we feel that our staff members' safety is at significant risk, we will contact the Health Department. In either of those cases, the Health Department may order us to euthanize the dog, and the body will be tested for rabies.
"At the end of the ten days, if neither of those scenarios have happened, the Health Department will release the dog from quarantine.
"We will not put the dog up for adoption, nor will we transfer him to any group or sanctuary for rehabilitation. We will euthanize him.
"This will anger some people. But, the dog killed a child. A helpless child. His family and friends, as well as the police department and other first responders, will bear emotional scars from what they saw.
"It is a tragedy from first sentence to last sentence."