Dog attack leaves family shaken on Thanksgiving

By JUDY UNDERWOOD

Morgan County News Editor

The Wilson family found a whole new reason to be thankful this year on Thanksgiving.

Thirteen-year-old Cory and the family were visiting with his Papaw just south of Wartburg along Highway 27.

After dinner Cory took a walk along Rains Road with his friends, Katie and Cole.

When they passed by the home of Kevin Blackburn, a pit bull that was chained at the residence broke loose and pursued the trio. Cory said he had walked the road before and was aware the dog was there but had never had any problems.

“My friends were walking backwards talking to me and all the sudden they took off running. I looked back to see what they were looking at and that’s when the dog bit me.”

Cory was able to fight the dog off by kicking it in the head and then running for safety.

“Thank God he was able to get free,” said his mother Denise. Cory is very active and enjoys sports and his mother is thankful. Like many who live in this area she has seen the reports of a woman who was attacked and killed by two dogs in a neighboring county.

The family spent a portion of Thanksgiving evening in the emergency room getting his injuries treated and Cory said his mother was embarrassing at times.

Denise admits that she was overcome by “what may have happened.”

She also said the owner of the dog was very cooperative and paid for the emergency bill and Cory’s medications but said she can’t help but be concerned for others who may walk that stretch of road and not be agile or capable as her son.

“I just couldn’t not say anything and then have something happen. I don’t want to make too big of a deal out of this but I do want people to be aware of the potential danger.”

The News was not able to reach the owner of the dog, named “Boss” according to the report filed at the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputy Stephen Harris responded to the call at about 5:45 Thanksgiving evening.

In his report Harris, said Blackburn said “Boss was not a mean dog and had all of his vaccinations.”

Cory said the dog had broken his chain and was dragging it when he was attacked.

Cory isn’t so sure that the dog isn’t mean but said his encounter with Boss will not cause him to be afraid of dogs in general.

Denise said the owner got the dog and chained him and Harris’ report confirms that the dog has been chained.