Oklahoma County Sheriff Tommie Johnson III says he expects charges to be filed in connection with a Spencer dog attack that left a 1-year-old boy critically injured.>> Related: Oklahoma toddler in critical condition after being attacked by dogOn Feb. 20, deputies responded to a dog attack outside a home on Daryl Lane in Spencer. A 1-year-old child, J.J. Rodriguez, had been mauled and suffered serious injuries.Johnson said Tuesday that an investigation showed that the 1-year-old was playing unattended in the front yard of his home when he went into a neighbor’s unfenced backyard. The neighbor heard a noise in their yard and went to investigate.According to Johnson, a dog rushed outside and attacked Rodriguez when the neighbor opened the door. Four other dogs went outside, but Johnson said investigators are unsure if they were part of the attack.>> Related: 1-year-old suffers serious injuries after dog attack in Spencer”When we have kids – because this is difficult for me, too, because I have kids. So, I can understand greatly – but when you have kids, we’ve got to make sure we’re watching our kids. We have to make sure we’re watching our kids and what they’re getting into to protect them,” Johnson said. “As dog owners, we have to make sure that we’re responsible pet owners in that we have a fence, that they can be contained. This is an accident. This is a tragic accident, but it’s one that could have been prevented.”Johnson added that other children were in the front yard, and a 5-year-old was tasked with watching them. The 1-year-old left the yard when the 5-year-old went inside. The investigation is ongoing, and Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office investigators are still talking to witnesses. Johnson said the sheriff’s office has been in contact with the district attorney’s office, and charges can be filed by the end of the week. He did not say who would be charged or what the charges would be.Rodriguez is getting better, and Johnson said the 1-year-old can see and recognize his parents.The dogs are no longer on the property. Johnson said officials took them to a family member’s house not in the Spencer area.
Oklahoma County Sheriff Tommie Johnson III says he expects charges to be filed in connection with a Spencer dog attack that left a 1-year-old boy critically injured.
>> Related: Oklahoma toddler in critical condition after being attacked by dog
On Feb. 20, deputies responded to a dog attack outside a home on Daryl Lane in Spencer. A 1-year-old child, J.J. Rodriguez, had been mauled and suffered serious injuries.
Johnson said Tuesday that an investigation showed that the 1-year-old was playing unattended in the front yard of his home when he went into a neighbor’s unfenced backyard. The neighbor heard a noise in their yard and went to investigate.
According to Johnson, a dog rushed outside and attacked Rodriguez when the neighbor opened the door. Four other dogs went outside, but Johnson said investigators are unsure if they were part of the attack.
>> Related: 1-year-old suffers serious injuries after dog attack in Spencer
“When we have kids – because this is difficult for me, too, because I have kids. So, I can understand greatly – but when you have kids, we’ve got to make sure we’re watching our kids. We have to make sure we’re watching our kids and what they’re getting into to protect them,” Johnson said. “As dog owners, we have to make sure that we’re responsible pet owners in that we have a fence, that they can be contained. This is an accident. This is a tragic accident, but it’s one that could have been prevented.”
Johnson added that other children were in the front yard, and a 5-year-old was tasked with watching them. The 1-year-old left the yard when the 5-year-old went inside.
The investigation is ongoing, and Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office investigators are still talking to witnesses.
Johnson said the sheriff’s office has been in contact with the district attorney’s office, and charges can be filed by the end of the week. He did not say who would be charged or what the charges would be.
Rodriguez is getting better, and Johnson said the 1-year-old can see and recognize his parents.
The dogs are no longer on the property. Johnson said officials took them to a family member’s house not in the Spencer area.
