Family Speaks After Girl Attacked By Dog
www.kcci.com
April 24, 2006, DES MOINES, Iowa -- A dog attack seriously injured a Des Moines girl and left her family angry that something like this could happen.
The mother of 7-year-old Kiera Odell-Manuel said that not enough safeguards were taken to keep her daughter safe from the pitbull.
"It's very emotional. I haven't slept at all," said Jennifer Odell-Manuel, the daughter's mother.
The pitbull and Rottweiler mix named Gotti belongs to the neighbors next door to the Odell-Manuels. Before the attack happened, Kiera's mother said it seemed like a typical Sunday evening.
"She's an innocent little girl playing in her yard. The dog broke its chain and attacked her," Odell-Manuel said. "She's afraid of dogs.
She didn't aggravate it. The dog came after her."
She said that the dog tore Kiera's ear off in the attack.
"They did sew it back on but if it turns black, it won't take. She no longer has an ear lobe and there's a gash in her head," she said.
The owners of Gotti, Michael and Patricia Knox, said they feel terrible about the attack and said it was a terrible accident.
They said that the dog typically stays on the front porch. On Sunday evening, it was chained in the back yard.
The Knoxes acknowledged that an animal control officer took the dog from them earlier this year.
Authorities said that they didn't have the proper insurance. Police said once they bought the insurance and signed a document saying they'll follow the special rules regarding such dogs, they got Gotti back.
Kiera's mother wants stronger action.
"I just want to see that this doesn't happen to anyone else. I wish these dogs were banned, and the city laws need to be followed up," Odell-Manuel said.
