An 11-year-old boy was left seriously injured after being attacked by his aunt’s therapy dog in a downtown Manhattan apartment on Tuesday afternoon. The incident occurred at the Smith Houses, where the American Bully pit bull mix named Aries launched at the boy, causing wounds to his face, eye, head, and arm. The victim was identified as Joshua, and he is now reportedly in stable condition at Bellevue Hospital. The boy’s aunt, Johanna Lopez-Ramos, revealed that he was in surgery following the attack.
According to Johanna Lopez-Ramos, the young victim and his twin brother had recently moved into her apartment after their mother passed away from cancer. She believes that the boys were overwhelming the dog before the attack, suggesting that their strength may have been too much for the animal to handle. Lopez-Ramos, who was in the bathroom at the time, rushed out upon hearing her nephew’s screams and had to quickly intervene to separate them. She also sustained a bite during the struggle. The victim’s twin brother, Julian, witnessed the incident and managed to escape unharmed.
The NYPD’s Department of Emergency Service Unit has taken custody of the dog and is handling the situation. The animal was transported in a crate, and Lopez-Ramos has made the decision to have it euthanized. She emphasized that the dog had never displayed any violent behavior prior to this incident and was actually her therapy dog for mental health support. Lopez-Ramos expressed her distress, stating that she had never witnessed such a terrifying event before, despite seeing similar incidents on the news.
Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances that surrounded the attack, including the dog’s history and any potential triggers that may have led to the aggression. It is essential for owners to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to prevent such incidents from occurring.