PRESS RELEASE
November 12th, 2008
8 year old attacked by Pit Bull Dog
On 11-11-08 at about 4:50 PM an American Pit Bull Dog, who was not on a lease, attacked a neighbor’s child. The 8 year old child, who was playing in his own yard, suffered numerous severe bite marks to the head, eye and back of the neck. The child was taken to a local hospital. The owner of the dog stated he walked his dog outside and went back into the house for just a minute to attend to another dog.
A Deputy responded and initially took a report. It should be noted the St. Clair County Animal Control Services (which is a different agency from the Sheriff’s Department) was closed for the holiday. The Sheriff’s Department has no ability or authority to call them out when they are off.
Today, Deputy Tom Peters, from the Sheriff’s Department, investigated the case and as a result of it:
Jesse D. Sellers (dob 03-22-66)
612 Chartrand Rd.
East Carondelet, IL 62240
was charged under a St. Clair County ordinance violation for “failing to contain a dangerous dog with a leash.” Due to it being an ordinance violation (non-arrestable) he was given a court date of 12-31-08.
Dep. Peters also coordinated today with Sellers and Animal Control to ensure the dog was quarantined at Animal Control’s kennels. Sellers was cooperative and apologetic about the incident.
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Captain Steve Johnson
Chief Investigator
Criminal Investigation Section
St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department
