Man charged after pit bull attacks 7-year-old girl

A Perryville, Missouri, man is facing a criminal charge after his dog mauled a young neighbor, Perry County Sheriff Gary Schaaf said Friday.

A pit bull owned by Christopher Gaulding, 26, of Perryville attacked a 7-year-old girl who came into Gaulding's yard July 9, Schaaf said.

"It chewed this little girl's arm up pretty good," he said.

Because the dog bit another child about a year ago, authorities charged Gaulding with a misdemeanor, Schaaf said.

The dog was on a chain in its yard when it attacked the little girl, Schaaf said.

He said a woman two doors down heard what was going on and called her husband, who came after the dog with a broomstick, Schaaf said.

The dog was standing over the child, but when the man approached with the broomstick, it charged after him, giving the girl a chance to roll to safety, Schaaf said.

"We've taken the dog," he said. "We've got it sequestered and given [Gaulding] notice he's got 10 days to appeal us putting him down."

Under state law, if a dog that previously has bitten a person or domestic animal without provocation subsequently bites another person, the owner can be charged with a crime.

The law also calls for the dog to be seized and held for 10 days before being destroyed.

If the owner appeals within the 10-day period, the dog remains impounded while the appeal is pending, the law states, with a disposition hearing to be held within 30 days to determine whether the dog should be put down.

The law does not apply to dogs that attack would-be criminals, such as a burglar breaking into a home.

epriddy@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent address:

Perryville, MO