By KEITH EPPS
Charges are pending against the owners of two dogs that attacked a 5-year-old boy in Stafford County, authorities said yesterday.
Sheriff Charles Jett said the boy suffered bite wounds Sunday, but escaped more serious injury because of the intervention of two neighbors, a federal air marshal and an Alexandria police officer.
The air marshal shot both dogs, killing one. The second dog, a mixed black Labrador Retriever, remained at large yesterday.
According to Jett, the child was playing in his front yard on Confederate Way in central Stafford about 1:45 p.m. when a German shepherd and the mixed lab began biting him. It was not clear yesterday how long the dogs had been running loose.
The air marshal came outside after hearing the child's frantic screams and saw what was happening. He and another neighbor, the Alexandria police officer, kicked the dogs away from the child, allowing him to get into his home.
The boy was taken to a hospital by his parents, where he was treated for bites to his arms and hip areas and released, Jett said.
The sheriff declined to name the officers, but credited them with saving the child from further injury.
After the boy got to safety, Jett said, the dogs turned their attention on the air marshal. They circled him, growling and acting aggressively, Jett said.
The air marshal's son had come outside by this time. Jett said the air marshal told his young son to slowly walk back into the home, which he did.
The air marshal moved slowly into his home as well, Jett said. He retrieved a pistol and came back outside. The dogs were in his yard by now and came toward him.
The air marshal shot the German shepherd, killing him instantly. The second dog ran after being shot and wounded.
The air marshal and another neighbor pursued the dog and shot it a second time. But the dog continued to run and got away.
Jett said the air marshal waited until he was a safe distance from homes before firing the second shot.
Animal control officers spent much of Monday and yesterday looking for the wounded animal without success.
The dogs belong to the same owners, who Jett said will be charged. The owners live in the same area, he said.
Because the second animal got away without being tested, Jett said the child will undergo rabies treatments.
To reach KEITH EPPS:
Email: kepps@freelancestar.com