Large Tan Dog Named “Tank” Attacked Boy With Suppressed Immune System
At about 3pm on Wednesday, October 10th, a small boy was bitten by a dog while he was getting out of a car at the Ocean Beach parking lot. The boy’s leg was bleeding and he was taken to Sharp memorial Hospital for treatment.
The seriousness of this attack is compounded by the fact that the boy is a heart transplant recipient with a suppressed immune system. Due to the child’s medical condition the doctors at Sharp Hospital are reluctant to administer treatment for rabies or any other possible infection – unless absolutely necessary.
The large dog is identified by onlookers as approximately 60 pounds and tan in color. A woman was seen chasing the dog down the beach after the attack calling the name TANK.
The concerned parents are asking for any assistance in finding ‘TANK’, and TANK’s owner so that his vaccinations can be verified, and doctors can begin treating the child accordingly. If you have any information about the dog or its owner please contact Animal Control at 619-767-2675.
Animal control has been notified of the attack.
The family, doctors, and little boy are waiting anxiously to administer proper treatment, and any assistance in finding TANK is greatly appreciated.
Tip o’hat to OB Town Council.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
First, well wishes to the little boy and his successful recovery.
This pisses me off. The parking lot is behind my house and most people ignore the posted signs that the “leash-free” zone is limited ONLY to “Dog Beach”, not the parking lot, and not the grassy area where “leashed dogs” are allowed ONLY between 6 p.m. and 9 a.m.
Just a few hours after this little boy was bit, I was charged and nearly knocked down twice, by a large dog on the ramp leading to “Dog Beach”. The owner obviously had no control of her dog, that she let loose in the parking lot and ignored her calls as she chased it to the beach, without even an apology to me.
Why do dogs have the same rights as people on public owned
Beaches? This is ridiculous!
Dog owners need to be more responsible for their “pets”
This vicious animal needs to be found, and fast!
Dog owners should have to pass dog control/obedience tests, before they are permitted to buy a dog, to insure that their dogs pose no hazard to the public.
TOO DAMN MANY MUTTS IN O.B.
Maybe it’s time for paid parking which will generate revenue to clean up the parking lot which smells like pee pee and enforce the dogs on leash until they arrive at a certain point on the beach? It’s always a few that spoil a good thing but it’s better to have people/kids/dogs safe and clean up this beach area.
One of the best things I saw at San Diego beaches was the ability of the public to access those beach, freely. Last time I went to a “public” New Jersey beach, it was $25 parking and $5 per person to actually be able to access the beach. New Jersey municipalities turned their beaches in cash cows at the expense of their constituents. (The state beaches are actually much more affordable)
People often give up their freedoms in the name of “safety”, but things are rarely more safe. If only people took more personal responsibility instead of thinking the world revolves around them. I will agree with one thing, I had spent several days on the OB beaches before I walked over the to parking lot/Dog Beach sign area, and the smell of pee was quite potent.
Not a good idea in this economy.
Well speaking of enforcement::: why not enforce the leash laws that are currently in affect at the seawall , grassy area , pier lot and other areas ?? I see SDPD walk right past dogs in these areas some off leash….They CAN NOT be in many areas until 6 pm …..leash or not .
Too many people walking dogs without a leash because they swear they know exactly what their dog will and won’t do.I don’t know if they think it makes them cooler to let the dog off the leash in their hand or what. I’ve had many big dogs run up on us while I’m walking my dog. no telling how they,or my dog,will react.
I went to the small dog section of the dogpark at Rob Field last Wed. When I arrived there were 6 dogs. 2 were under the 30 lb limit,the rest were much bigger. Even what looked t be a boxer mix.Good thing people fought for getting a section of the park fenced off to protect our little friends. Some people are entitled to do as they please to the detriment of others,I guess.
It amazes me that people pay for cable tv, cell phones, I-pads, starbucks, casinos, sports events, etc. but will complain they might have to shell out a few bucks to go to the beach. The city is broke and very few people in this community volunteer to clean up litter, dog poop, sand, fire pits etc. Someday beach goers will have to decide priorities….go to a clean beach and parking lot and give up one cup of coffee. So many people want something for nothing.