Monday, May 30, 2011

Lorain boy, 5, bitten on face by dog at grandmother’s house

LORAIN, OH — A 5-year-old boy was badly bitten Wednesday by a Rottweiler in the backyard of his grandmother’s home.

Eliyamil Rolon had to undergo two hours of reconstructive surgery on his face at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland, according to his mother, Yaitza Rolon. Eliyamil had cuts on his neck and above and below his right eye as well as a bone fracture above the eye, Rolon said.

Eliyamil tried to pet the dog, which was tied up in the backyard, before being attacked, according to a police report.

Richard Robles, the boyfriend of Eliyamil’s grandmother, had borrowed the dog from another man, Elizer Figueroa, about a month-and-a-half ago after the garage at a home in the 1000 block of West 17th Street was broken into. The dog had never showed aggression before, Robles said.

Yaitza Rolon was working while Eliyamil’s grandmother babysat. Rolon said her son was hysterical when she saw him after the attack, which occurred about 4 p.m. Rolon said screws had to be set in Elyamil’s face, but she is hopeful there won’t be permanent scarring.

“It looks pretty bad right now,” she said. “He’s sutured up, but there are big lacerations on his face.”

Rolon said the person who lent the Rottweiler to Robles had gotten it from the city pound. She suspects the dog may have been previously abused.

“Everybody’s devastated. We did not expect anything from the dog,” Rolon said. “I know it’s not his fault. He’s only an animal, but I started asking myself, ‘Where did this dog come from? What could have possibly caused him to do that?’ ”

The dog is under a 10-day quarantine. The police report said the dog warden and city Health Department will contact Figueroa and Robles.

(The Chronicle Telegram - May 13th, 2011)

The grandmother's house where the attack occurred

A pit bull mix also on the property

The Rottweiler before being impounded

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