UPDATE: SB boy needs 27 stitches after pit bull attack; animal control takes dog

Adam Lolmaugh, the father of a young South Bend boy who was mauled by a pit bull Monday, says police and animal control arrived at the owner's home around 4:30 p.m. Friday and removed the dog from her possession.

According to a warrant issued by Todd Howard, director of South Bend Animal Care and Control, the owner is allowed to pick the dog up after 5 p.m. on September 22.

SBACC is currently quarantining the dog to determine if it has rabies.

Meantime, a formal investigation on how the bite occurred is underway. The SBACC would be the ones to place any stipulations on the owner or to request the dog to be put down. That would happen if the SBACC finds that the owner was negligent.

All of this is part of the ongoing investigation.

Original story, posted Thursday:

In the aftermath of a horrifying attack, a pit bull sent one South Bend boy to the hospital, resulting in nearly thirty stitches.

“It drug [sic] him from the play area over here, back to the house and actually inside,” said Adam Lolmaugh, victim’s father.

Lolmaugh described feeling helpless in the situation; he says it took several people to remove his son from the dog's grip.

The four-year old's dad tells us this is the sixth time the pit bull has mauled someone. Fearing this won't be its last attack, he wants to see the dog taken from its owner.

“I want that dog gone,” said Lolmaugh.

Lolmaugh says his son was playing outside Monday evening when the incident happened.

The pit bull belongs to the woman who lives in a nearby home, just next to the play area.

“She let it out, came over here, he was right about in this area playing, and the dog grabbed him, drug [sic] him over there and began chewing him,” said Lolmaugh.

A trip to the hospital and 27 stitches later, “just looking at it makes my stomach drop every time,” said Lolmaugh.

In the attached video, you’ll see images of the boy’s wounds. A warning, they are graphic.

“He’s got a hole, probably the size of a half dollar on his left shoulder. He's got bite marks and claw marks all on his left arm, all on the inside, down his arm,” said Lolmaugh.

The dog's owner declined to comment Thursday, slamming her front door after a request for a statement.

“She said it's not my problem, it's not my kid, it's not my problem. She’s bragged this is the sixth time that it's bitten, twice we know of children,” said Patrick O’Banion, family friend.

Now, the boy's father and a family friend are demanding action.

“I would like the dog to be put down. I am very fearful for children and the safety of people in this neighborhood because of that vicious dog,” said O’Banion.

“I understand dogs are supposed to be protective, but being protective and attacking are two different things,” said Lolmaugh.

Wednesday, South Bend Animal Care and Control placed a quarantine on the pit bull. The owner is only allowed to let it outdoors to use the bathroom, and must be within arms-length of the dog.

Violating any of those rules can result in the pit bull being taken from her possession. SBACC’s director, Todd Howard says a case officer has been assigned to this situation.

As far as the boy’s recovery, Lolmaugh says he's been tough, and aside from being traumatized from the incident, he's in good spirits. Adam says his son had a check-up with the doctor Thursday and will continue to monitor those wounds to avoid an infection.

UPDATE: Dog owner speaks out on boy's wounds September 18, 2016 A South Bend boy is still recovering after his dad says he was attacked by a neighbor's dog last week. The incident happened outside a home on Allen Street in the near northwest neighborhood. The owner of the dog, Michelle Keres, says she agrees it was a terrible accident. Several people had to pull the dog off the young boy. But Keres says she has video of the yard during the incident. Keres has cameras installed at the home where she helps run a child care service. But after looking over video of the bite, Keres says she doesn't believe all of the boy's injuries were caused by her dog, as the family claims. Just taking a look for a while throughout the day, the boy is seen playing at the home during a cookout. There's also something you don't see... Parents or a guardian. This goes on for the majority of the day. Then off camera the boy enters the house from the wrong way... And the dog bites him. Keres says the dog was on a leash that only extends as far as 4 feet from its kennel. The boy was never dragged across the yard... And when he reappears on screen... There are no visible tears on the shirt. Keres says he only suffered two small puncture wounds from the dog's teeth. "The dog was not on the playground," Keres said. "The dog did not drag the kid. The kid's shirt was not ripped. He did not run. He did not panic. He didn't cry. And you see me chase after him, to, like, get somebody to help. The dog did not maul him. The dog was one bite. She's got teeth that come over the edge, that's what the puncture wounds were from and did not drag him or anything. Just bit him and that's exactly when I came into the picture and we pried the dog's jaw open and got the dog off of him." Keres says contrary to what was said by Adam Lolmaugh, the boy's father, this was the first time her dog has bitten anyone. Lolmaugh says police and animal control arrived at Keres' home around 4:30 p.m. Friday and removed the dog from her possession. According to a warrant issued by Todd Howard, director of South Bend Animal Care and Control, the owner is allowed to pick the dog up after 5 p.m. on September 22. SBACC is currently quarantining the dog to determine if it has rabies. Meantime, a formal investigation on how the bite occurred is underway. The SBACC would be the ones to place any stipulations on the owner or to request the dog to be put down. That would happen if the SBACC finds that the owner was negligent. All of this is part of the ongoing investigation.