Boy that died in dog attack (Henrico County, VA)

[Rene Allegrini]

How absolutely sad. When will people realize that children should never be left unattended with big, strong, powerful dogs?

Article and link provided by fightBSL group and Jodi Preis


TimesDispatch.com | Boy that died in dog attack IDed


Richmond Times-Dispatch Jan 25, 2007

A boy who died last night after being attacked by a Rottweiler at his western Henrico County home was identified today at 6-year-old Matthew Logan Johnson.

Matthew was a kindergartener at Pinchbeck Elementary School at 1225 Gaskins Road.

The boy was fatally injured about 5 p.m. in the back yard of his home in 9000 block of Penguin Road, where police removed six Rottweilers confined in the house or behind a high board fence after the attack.

Authorities today indicated the dogs either belonged to or were being cared for by the boy's family, but police were in the process of confirming ownership. They were being held at today at the Henrico Animal Shelter at 420 Dabbs House Road, off Nine Mile Road in eastern Henrico.

Police say they are still investigating the circumstances of the attack.

"We're not going to make any quick decisions," said Henrico Commonwealth's Attorney Wade Kizer. "We're going to take our time and investigate exactly what the facts are, and it may take a little bit of time to do that."

An autopsy was to be performed on the child today to determine his cause of death.

"Our thoughts are with the family during this difficult time, but out of respect to the family we're not commenting anymore than that," said Henrico school spokesman Mychael Dickerson said.

[frontierrots]

The child's parents are a member of another forum I'm on

here are the facts as I have gleaned them

The parents had 5 show dogs in the house

plus 2 new rescues in the back yard that they were "fattening" up pre adoption to applicants

The dead child- Logan- was autistic and was NOT supposed to be in the back yard

The family was preparing the dog food in the house and somehow Logan slipped out and the rescues who had never seen him before attacked him

regardless of what you might read in other articles the parents have NOT spoken to ANY reporter or paper. Quotes attributed to them are not theirs since they have not spoken to the press

[Rene Allegrini]

Originally Posted by frontierrots

plus 2 new rescues in the back yard that they were "fattening" up pre adoption to applicants

regardless of what you might read in other articles the parents have NOT spoken to ANY reporter or paper. Quotes attributed to them are not theirs since they have not spoken to the press

This would explain how they determined which two rottweilers attacked the child according to the second article and link provided. And, as usual, it is no surprise that the newspapers or reporters would use quotes that aren't necessarily from the source they provide.

My sincerest sympathies to them for their loss.

[pjohnson1969]

Frontier thanks for clarifying that

BIG HUG

[lise]

I understand these people love rotts, but didn't they love their son too? I don't believe they should have taken in rescue dogs with an austic son (heck, with any young child) because slipping out into the back yard is something any child could do. That's irresponsible parenting and it got their son killed. The boy was only 6!

[pjohnson1969]

Glad you clarified that!!!!! with all your wisdom and knowledge

[Gunsey'sMom]

I am so sorry, they must be beside themselves. I am not sure what kind of autism he suffered , but I have been with many autistic children , and it sometimes makes it a hard communication between child and parent. them not speaking to the press explains such a short and choppy article. I hope the media will stay out of their business in their hard time.

I am glad to get another side of one of these stories for once.

FR- Please let them know we are thinking about them and praying for their family.

[pjohnson1969]

Logan..

His Autism wasnt a a low function Autism. It made a great story line for the press.
Logan was6 he could count well over a hundred and he could also read.

He had an iq of 150 for a 6 year old teted last year.
They suspected it was aspergers. It affected his Social skills and made him extremely Habit oriented.
For instance he had maybe 10 different foods he would eat. He would tell you which one he wanted. Then thats what we fed him.
In the morning if he decided he wanted something for breakfast that we didnt have we would drive to the grocery store at 6 am to accomidate him.

He didnt live in our world ...we lived in his... and i miss it so very much

I promise you people NOONE loved a Rottie as much as logan.

It my beleif that only reason he went outside was to make friends with them

[Jantea]

Words could never express the grief of this accident. May God fold you in his arms and carry you through this horrible time.