A Georgia boy was hospitalized after three pit bulls attacked him while he was riding his bike with his cousin Friday night.
RELATED STORIES: Woman Mauled To Death By Her Pit Bulls While Visting Them At An Animal Shelter
The attack took place in the Rolling Meadows neighborhood of Appling when the dogs chased Justin Gilstrap and his friend during their bike ride. According to KMOV, one of the pit bulls started barking at Justin before biting him in the leg and two other dogs joined in on the attack. Shortly after, the three dogs dragged Justin into a ditch when he fell off of his bike.
Ericka Stevens Gilstrap told the outlet that her nephew discovered Justin in the ditch and called 911 for help. Medics rushed Justin to a nearby hospital for emergency surgery and deputies said in their report that his scalp was torn in half during the attack. He also suffered deep punctured wounds on both legs and half of his ear was bitten. The family previously filed a complaint about the dogs to authorities last year but there was no follow-up.
RELATED STORIES: Man Kills Neighbor With A Crossbow After Trying To Save Him From Two Pit Bulls
Stevens-Gilstrap said her son could’ve died during the attack as the complaint noted that the dogs’ owners let them run loose and there wasn’t a leash to keep them in. Following the incident, the Columbia Board of Commissions released a statement on Saturday. “After a review of county records, Columbia County Animal Services has responded to various complaints concerning multiple dog issues in the Rolling Meadows subdivision over the last several years'” they wrote.
“Animal Services has had limited interactions with the owner of these particular dogs in the past and warnings for allowing the dogs to run free were issued. Columbia has no record of these dogs being aggressive towards humans until this incident.”
Stevens-Gilstrap also created a GoFundMe to help with her son’s medical expenses, stating he is currently intubated and sedated since doctors were unable to close the wound on his leg.
“I am asking everyone to please pray for Justin. He was attacked by 3 pit bulls tonight. He was rushed in for emergency surgery. He is currently intubated and sedated at CHOG in PICU. He is missing 70% of his scalp, has several lacerations and staples, they couldn’t close the wound on his leg, and now he’s running a fever. Any help is appreciated.”
The dogs’ owner, Burt Baker, was arrested and charged with reckless conduct. However, he was released on Sunday on a $1,100 bond.
The public offers their support after learning about the boy’s injuries from the vicious attack
After learning about the attack, the GoFundMe page surpassed its goals of $75,000 by reaching $108,820. Additionally, social media users offered their prayers for Justin as the vicious attack was reportedly unprovoked.