A June 22 dog attack on New Hope Club Road resulted in a teenager receiving severe injuries.
According to a Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office incident report, the sheriff’s office responded to a dog bite call at the Piedmont ER. The officer was informed that the 14-year-old victim, whose name is withheld due to age, was attacked by two German Shepherds and suffered severe bites that nearly punctured his femoral artery, the incident report states. No charges or arrests were listed.
The victim had been walking down the road at the time of the attack, the report states. Gilmer Fire and Rescue confirmed that the victim was later airlifted from Piedmont, but it was not disclosed to which hospital.
Gilmer Animal Shelter director Daniel Laukka said a total of three dogs were taken to the animal shelter where they’re now being held.
“There’s typically an investigation into it, (and) there’s an ordinance when it comes to deeming a dog potentially dangerous,” he added.
“In order for the owner to get the dog back in that situation, they would have to follow all the steps for possessing a potentially dangerous dog. It’s a lengthy process that has to be followed before the dog can be taken back, like building a fence, getting an insurance policy, things like that.”
The dogs had been loose in the owners’ yard, Laukka noted.
“If somebody comes too close to the property, dogs don’t differentiate what’s property and what’s not. While you’re walking or jogging down the road, it’s always good to be aware that dogs don’t understand property lines,” he added.