Pit Bull Tasered 15 to 20 times During Attack: No Effect
Months in HospitalUPDATE 04/21/09: Gabe Cooper, 4-years old, remains in critical condition at Akron Children’s Hospital since being severely mauled by a pit bull April 10. He suffered extensive facial injuries in the attack. Jim Bond, Gabe’s maternal grandfather, said Gabe, who recently was taken off of a ventilator, starts a new round of facial reconstructive procedures today. His grandfather estimates Gabe will remain in the hospital for another
couple of months.
Gabe's mother Allison, has since had the staples removed from her arms. She reportedly spends each day at Gabe's bedside.
Gabriel CooperThe Gabriel Cooper Family Fund has been set up at Mechanics Savings Bank. Donations can be sent to or dropped off at any Mechanics Savings Bank.
04/14/09: 4-Year Old Undergoes Facial SurgeryMansfield, OH - It was reported over the weekend that 4-year old Gabe Cooper, 4, and his mother, Allison Cooper, 28, were mauled by a male pit bull at a home in Mansfield. The boy suffered severe facial trauma in the attack. The child, his mother and grandmother, Julie Bond, had been at the home feeding the two pit bulls for a friend when the dog named Boomer attacked. The dog went after the boy and when his mother intervened, the dog attacked her, too.
During the attack, the dog was tasered 15 to 20 times with no effect. The warden had to jump on the dog to stop the attack.
Both victims were taken to MedCentral/Mansfield Hospital. Gabe was later airlifted to Akron Children's Hospital. He had two reconstructive surgeries on Saturday. His mother was treated and released from the hospital after receiving numerous stitches to injuries on her hands and arms. As of Monday, it was reported that Gabe Cooper remained in critical condition at Akron Children's. A hospital spokeswoman said she couldn’t release any more information.
Related ZUPF videoAlso reported on Monday, the dog owner, Erin Fields, 26, was issued summonses for having vicious dogs in city limits, failing to have liability insurance and failing to have a current license for both of her dogs. (Mansfield, Ohio
bans pit bull type dogs.) The first two offenses are first-degree misdemeanors, punishable by up to six months in jail. Police Detective Bill Bushong has contacted the Richland County Prosecutor’s Office about possible felony charges.
According to Captain Michele Webb, the felony charges may hinge on what happens to the condition of the little boy.
Dog Warden Dave Jordan said Fields has owned the pit bulls since they were puppies. He said that of the two dogs, 2-year old Boomer was the attacker. Jordan met with Fields on Monday. He said Fields knew she was not allowed to have pit bulls in the city. "She sat here in tears most of the time," Jordan said. He said that pit bulls can be wonderful dogs; but, when they bite, it’s always significant. He said pit bulls have the strongest bite per square inch of any dog.
He added that, "This whole thing could have been prevented if they had just followed the law of no pit bulls in the city limits."Related articles:03/17/09:
10 Shots Stop Pit Bull Attack on Pregnant Woman and Officer12/13/08:
Pit Bull that Takes Three Bullets for Family is Anecdotal Evidence
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