A Columbia County boy was hospitalized with serious injuries after being mauled by three pit bulls Friday night and losing his right ear.
Justin Gilstrap, 11, was reportedly riding his bike in Appling when the nuisance animals attacked him on the bike and eventually grabbed him and dragged him to a ditch.
Dog owner Burt Thomas Baker III, 26, has been arrested and charged with reckless conduct.
Here is a statement from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office:
“Around 7 p.m. we were called to 212 Langston Drive in reference to a dog attack on an 11 year old boy. When we arrived on scene, Animal Control was in the process of taking 3 dogs into their custody. 11 year old Justin Gilstrap was attacked by three dogs while riding his bicycle. All three dogs attacked Justin on the side of the road in the ditch, causing substantial injuries to his body that appeared to be life threatening at the time. Justin was taken to AUMC for emergency surgery.
“The owner of the dogs, Burt Baker III, arrived on scene and admitted that the dogs were his and later stated they like to chase people on bicycles. After learning from Animal Control Officer Dana Csira that Baker has had reports and warnings in the past, Burt was taken into custody charged with Reckless Conduct.”
According to a gofundme page set up by his mother, Ericka Gilstrap, the child went emergency surgery at the Children’s Hospital of Georgia.
“He is missing 70% of his scalp, has several lacerations and staples,” Erick said Friday night. “They couldn’t close the wound on his leg, and now he’s running a fever.”
The mother said they had reported the dogs several times before and Columbia County did nothing.
“It’s sad it took this for them to finally do something. I am a single mom of four so I am sure I will have to be out of work for a little bit plus all of Justin’s medical bills being he is going to have to have a few more surgeries,” she wrote on gofundme (https://gofund.me/10471539).
Baker is being held on a $1,100 bond. He remained in jail on Saturday morning.
