Dog mauls boy aged 7

Standing outside the emergency department of the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, Delwin Nelson, uncle of seven-year-old Graphique Nelson was at a loss for words when he contemplated what had just happened to his nephew.{{more}}

Delwin seemed oblivious to the sirens, the shouts or the crowd gathering around him in relation another matter; as he fought back the tears that had been forming since he found out that little Graphique had been attacked by a pit bull.

The incident occurred just after nine on Wednesday morning, shortly after Delwin dropped his nephew, who lives with him in Richmond Hill, at his sister’s residence at Arnos Vale.

Both Delwin and his sister Juliet Dorsette are assisting Graphique’s mother Donnette with raising her son while she is overseas in Canada. It was therefore not unusual for the youngster to be at his aunt’s Arnos Vale home located upstairs popular restaurant Rik Pizzeria.

According to reports, Graphique, a student of the C W Prescond Primary School, was very familiar with the dog, as he has been visiting his aunt’s home almost every day since September last year.

Reports say that the dog, which is usually tied, got loose and attacked the youngster as he played at the front of the building.

He was rescued by construction workers who were in the vicinity and taken to the hospital.

His aunt Juliet had left him in the care of an employee, as she had gone to the supermarket.

Graphique, who at press time was said to be in stable condition at the hospital, was bitten about the face by the dog.

Promoted to grade three, Graphique is described as a quiet lad who enjoys playing video games, watching television and playing with his sister and cousin.

Close relatives and friends say that they are stunned by the vicious attack, not expecting something like this to happen within the close knit family.

The youngster is considered lucky to be alive following the attack. As recently as June 6th this year, four dogs attacked and killed 46-year-old Althea Cato at her workplace at Cane End.

At press time, police were investigating the incident, and the dog was said to be still in the custody of its owner Cameron Codogan, who also lives in the Arnos Vale building.