Firestone – A family watchdog bit a 2-year-old boy in the face Wednesday, sending the boy to the hospital and effectively signing the pet’s own death warrant.
Damien Winter was playing in the enclosed porch of his family’s home on Weld County Road 15 when the attack happened, Weld County Undersheriff Margie Martinez said.
Authorities don’t know what prompted the dog, a fluffy, black-and-tan, 9-year-old chow and Rottweiler mix named Bronx, to bite the boy. Damien’s mother, grandmother and 12-year-old brother were all nearby when the attack happened, at about 10:30 a.m., Martinez said.
“The injuries were to the facial area and were most severe to the forehead,” she said.
Damien’s mom, Shanon Winter, called 911. Damien went by ambulance to Children’s Hospital in Denver, where he was in fair condition Wednesday evening.
Animal-control officers took Bronx to the Humane Society of Weld County in Evans, where he will be held for 10 days to check for signs of rabies and then euthanized, shelter executive director Elaine Hicks said.
The Winterses relinquished ownership of Bronx.
On Wednesday, Bronx was in kennel D6, in an area of the shelter reserved for dogs that have bitten someone or are getting over kennel cough. He was the quietest of the group, mostly lying on the floor with his head resting on his front paws.
“He hasn’t barked; he hasn’t eaten his treats,” Hicks said. “He’s just been lying in the back.”
The Winterses’ home is in an area of pastures and acreages north of Firestone and sits alone. “No trespassing” signs mingle with hubcaps and license plates near the gate blocking their driveway.
A few signs warn visitors about the family’s dogs. One sign shows the silhouettes of two Rottweilers with the words, “We can make it to the fence in 3 seconds. Can you?” Another sign says, “Please don’t feed fingers to the animals.”
Martinez said authorities have made one previous visit to the property about the family’s dogs, but she didn’t have details of that call on Wednesday.
Investigators have not determined whether criminal charges are warranted, Martinez said.
Hicks said the case is a reminder that young children should be watched closely around dogs.
“Always supervise children around animals, regardless of whether they are family pets or not,” she said. “And provide basic obedience training for pets.”
Staff writer John Ingold can be reached at 720-929-0898 or jingold@denverpost.com.
