Pit Bull Mauls Child; Sheriff Kills Dog
www.centralohio.com
August 19, 2005, MARTEL, OHIO - A grandmother fought furiously to pull her 20-month-old granddaughter from the jaws of a pit bull on Tuesday at a home near the village of Martel in eastern Marion County.
Judith Worcester was able to beat the dog and pull her granddaughter to safety, but not before the vicious animal, which reportedly has a history of dog fighting, was severely injured.
Sway Sontag needed more than 100 stitches and had several large cuts on her head and face, according to a nursing supervisor at Children's Hospital in Columbus. The supervisor said both of her ears were damaged in the attack, and while one appears to be OK, doctors are not sure about the other ear.
She was listed in good condition at Children's Hospital at 7 a.m. this morning. The toddler is the daughter of Angel Sontag. Sway had been transported to Marion General and then to Columbus.
The 9-1-1 call came in at 2:17 p.m. Tuesday. Several officers from the Marion County Sheriff's Office responded along with First Consolidated Emergency Squad personnel.
When sheriff's deputies arrived at the home at 8476 Linn-Hipsher Road, they learned that the victim and two other children, all grandchildren of Judith Worcester were in the yard playing at the home. Worcester was holding the victim in her arms.
