TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) – An 11-month-old is recovering after officials say he was attacked by a family dog last week.
The incident happened last week at Cypress Point, a mobile home park in East Toledo, while 11- month-old Caleb Snead was in his crib.
According to a police report, Caleb’s mother set up a barricade in front of the door to his crib so she could go out to grab the trash bins and bring them back from the road.
When she returned, their blue heeler mastiff named Colt was attacking and biting Caleb. He was rushed to the hospital with severe injuries.
Anna Brogan, who works at Lucas County Canine Care and Control, can’t talk about this case but she says it’s important to know your pet’s behaviors.
“You want to look for signs that your dog is comfortable and that your dog is not afraid of the baby,” said Brogan. “Babies don’t look like us, they don’t sound like us. They’re little and the voices are weird and that can be scary for a dog.”
The family told officers that the dog has “broken down doors before in attempt to get to Caleb.” He suffered injuries and bruising to his entire body and his left ear was almost fully detached.
Brogan talked about signs to look for when your dog is on high alert.
“If the ears are floppy ears, you can look where they are attached to the head. If they’re back, they’re anxious. If they’re hanging on the side of hair like normal, that’s ok,” said Brogan. “You’re going to want to look at its tail. A tail that is sticking straight up is a tail that says I need a minute.”
According to the police report, a child abuse doctor at the hospital contacted children services and said she believed this could be a case of neglect and abuse due to the “knowledge of Colt being aggressive.”
Caseworkers put together an action plan for the family, who has surrendered the dog to be euthanized.
As for Caleb, his mom says he’s back home recovering and doing well.
At this time, no charges have been filed in this case.
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