NAMPA, Idaho — Two brothers were hospitalized after being attacked by dogs while waiting for the school bus.
The incident occurred in Nampa on the morning of Sept. 21 near 4th Street South and 8th Avenue South. While the older brother has since returned home to heal, the younger child's road to recovery is much longer, according to the boys' aunt.
Nampa police said the owner of the dogs let them out to eat when they ran down the street toward two kids waiting to get picked up for school. Police said the owner yelled for help right away.
When officers arrived at the scene, they were informed that the dog owner, along with several neighbors, were able to get the dogs off the boys.
Canyon County Paramedics initially tended to the children before they were taken to the hospital. One child sustained serious injuries to the head, neck and ankle. His older sibling received less severe injuries to his stomach area while trying to get the dogs off his younger brother.
Lieutenant Jamie Burns said he was impressed neighbors did not hesitate to help.
"Not a lot of times where you see two dogs attacking someone that somebody might be putting themselves in danger,” Lt. Burns said. “So, I was impressed with that. I would venture to say that the family was very appreciative of that fact that neighbors were willing to come out."
The owner of the dogs was charged with multiple animal related charges including dogs running at large and failure to license the dogs.
Officers said there was no previous history related to the owner or the dogs, so the animals will not be euthanized. Instead, they were quarantined and monitored.
Lt. Burns also mentioned the injuries could have been worse if not for the neighbors stepping in.
A GoFundMe has been created to support the young boy's healing and future reconstructive surgeries.
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