RENSSELAER COUNTY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Hoosick Falls Police Department say a young child was attacked and mauled by several dogs inside the child's home. The officer in charge, Sergeant John Hudson, said a 2-year-old child was attacked by dogs around 10:30, Wednesday morning.
Hudson explained that the mother arrived on the scene shortly after that. The 2-year-old was found mauled by four rottweilers. Police would not release the name of the owner as they continue their investigation. “She brought the child out to the ambulance. The child was then transported to Albany Medical Center Pediatrics,” said Hudson.
He described the scene as gruesome, “It's a very traumatic event for not only the family, but the village, because this was quite a situation, especially when a 2-year-old is involved. That's traumatic for everybody involved.”
Hudson said there is no threat to the public and that the owners voluntarily euthanized the animals after being tested for Rabies and other diseases. It remains unclear at this time if anyone will face any charges. “Officers and myself, along with the rest of the district attorney's office are working through everything,” said Hudson.
Nancy Haynes, Vice President of Shelter Operations at the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society, says any dog can bite for any reason. She says most kids are injured by dogs known to them, “They shouldn't be alone with the dog if they're eating or sleeping or have any resources that they may feel protective over. So, if you have to, you know, take a shower or cook dinner or anything like that, you should be managing where your dog is, away from your child.” Haynes says there are ways to prevent bad behavior in animals. “When your animal is off your property, it should be leashed. All your animals should be up to date on their vaccines.”
The Hoosick Falls Police Department tells NEWS10 their thoughts are with the victim, and they hope for a speedy recovery from this traumatic event.
Haynes says there are many classes and programs offered at MHHS, and most are at a nominal fee. She says there are a ton of educational programs, “We have dog training at the Humane Society, which centers around really strengthening your bond with your pet, teaching your pet how to be around your child, teaching your child how to be around your pet. We also have an entire humane education program where part of that is our summer camp has school age children to different age brackets that they teach safe handling.”
Haynes says there are camps, as well, “For our training and our summer camp, there is a cost involved, but we do have a helpline which is on our website and that is free to anybody to use. So, if anybody is having a situation with their pets, they can reach out to the helpline. And we also have free educational seminars generally once a quarter that offer all kinds of things such as safe handling for cats and dogs, enrichment tips to working with your anxious dog, everything along those lines.”
