Dog that mauled toddler euthanized in Pasco County

The dog that mauled to death a toddler Saturday night was immediately euthanized after being turned over to Pasco County Animal Services, said Manager Denise Hilton.

Twenty-month-old Dallas Lee Walters was killed by a relative's Rottweiler-Labrador mix during a birthday party at his great-aunt's house at 9615 Jerome Drive in Moon Lake.

It was Pasco's first reported fatal animal attack in at least 35 years, Hilton said.

"We've had some close calls. We've had some people whose lives have been in jeopardy... You never want this to happen."

Dallas' mom, Jessica Stafford, was feeding him potato salad just before he was attacked, she said today. He would take a bite, walk away and return for another bite. Stafford was watching him the entire time, she said. And then the dog charged at Dallas from behind the sofa, toppling the boy, according to Pasco Sheriff's Office officials.

Relatives say the 100-pound dog named Willie had been chained up outside but somehow got loose and went into the house. Earlier the dog had been playing with a teenage boy without problems, relatives said today.

While several family members tried to get the dog off the boy and away from anyone else, he bit or scratched Dallas' grandmother. While the injury wasn't serious, Animal Services officials have sent the dog's head out for rabies testing. They're awaiting the results.

A puppy of the same breed at the house also was relinquished to Animal Services. Hilton said Neva, the 3-month-old female, likely will be adopted.

Animal Services has never been called out to the Moon Lake home, Hilton said. The family just got the dog a couple of months ago after responding to an advertisement in a local newspaper, she added.

They were unaware of any behavioral problems prior, she said, but Animal Services officers are continuing their investigation and looking for the previous owners to get more information about the dog. The sheriff's office is still continuing its investigation, too.

So far, neither agency expects criminal charges to be filed in the attack. It just appears to be a "tragic accident," said sheriff's office spokesman Kevin Doll.

Dallas will be laid to rest Tuesday.

Visitation will be held for the boy at Dobies Funeral Home, 9944 Hudson Ave., Hudson, from noon until 1 p.m. Funeral services will begin at 1 p.m., followed by burial at Grace Memorial Gardens, 17007 U.S. 19, Hudson.

He will be buried with his favorite purple blanket, a yellow teddy bear, and his dad's baseball cap which Dallas loved to play with and put back on his father's head.

Dallas' burial and services will cost the family $3,200 but they say they don't have the money.

The family's church has set up an account at SunTrust bank. Donations can be sent to any location. Checks should be written out to Oasis Christian Fellowship Church of New Port Richey. In the memo line write Dallas Walters and/or account 1000105208234.