TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Dunedin Rescue Group Ponders Pit Bull's Fate

ADVERTISEMENT

By STEPHEN THOMPSON

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 5, 2008

SAFETY HARBOR - The mixed-breed pit bull that bit a 6-year-old boy Sunday remains in quarantine while its owner decides whether to have the animal euthanized.

The dog, a 2-year-old named Tucker, is the property of Dunedin Doggie Rescue, founder Ken Koenig said.
Rosemary Sugar, the mother of 6-year-old Tydal Sugar, was acting as a foster owner for the animal, taking care of it temporarily until a permanent home was found, said Linda Britland, the field enforcement manager at Pinellas County Animal Services.

At roughly 6 p.m. Sunday, Tydal was at a park at 300 Salem St. with his mother and Tucker when the boy stepped into an ant pile, Pinellas sheriff's authorities said. When Tydal began screaming and yelling, the dog attacked him, they said. The dog was on a leash at the time, and Rosemary Sugar, 34, pulled him back and called 911, they said.

Tydal was bit in the shoulder and head, sheriff's authorities said. He was taken to Bayfront Medical Center and then transferred to All Children's Hospital, where he was treated and released, an All Children's spokeswoman said.

Koenig said paperwork was filled out indicating Dunedin Doggie Rescue wanted to reclaim Tucker, but that was just to give the rescue group time to discuss with deputies and Rosemary Sugar what should be done with the animal.
Rosemary Sugar could not be reached for comment.

Reporter Stephen Thompson can be reached at (727) 451-2336 or spthompson@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT