Dog attack
A 6-year-old boy has died from injuries suffered when he was mauled by a pit bull Friday night, Huntington Police Chief Joe Ciccarelli confirmed Saturday.

The attack happened just after 9 p.m. Friday in the 2600 block of 9th Avenue. Scanner traffic at the time indicated the boy had suffered severe injuries to his neck and head, and that the dog remained aggressive as first responders arrived.

The boy was rushed to Cabell Huntington Hospital, where he died of his injuries later Friday night. His name has not been released.

Huntington police are conferring with Cabell County prosecuting attorneys to determine if any criminal charges will be filed, Ciccarelli said. The dog and the boy were living in the same household.

"Any charges will depend on a review of the facts uncovered during the investigation," Ciccarelli said. "This is a matter for the prosecuting attorney to assess, and any discussion as to specific charges at this stage would be inappropriate."

Officers from HPD's Patrol Bureau and detectives from the Family Crimes Unit responded and continue investigating. Cabell County Child Protective Services was also on the scene.

The dog was taken into custody of Huntington Animal Control, which plans to seek a court order to have it euthanized.

Pit bulls and wolf-hybrids are specifically regulated under Huntington municipal code. Article 507 states pit bulls and wolf-hybrids must be either secured indoors or in a locked kennel, or on a manned leash with a muzzle if taken outside. Each dog must also be registered with Huntington Animal Control.

If any breed of dog is found to be "vicious or dangerous" following a complaint in municipal court, the owner can face up to a $500 fine and 30 days in jail, the article states. Municipal court may also order the dog be euthanized after such conviction.

The city's last fatal dog attack was more than a decade ago when 2-year-old Arianna Fleeman was killed by a pit bull in May 2005 in Guyandotte. The dog's owner, 45-year-old Donald Brewer, was convicted of misdemeanor involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to a year in prison.

No type of dog has attracted more contention than the pit bull in recent years as debates continue to rage as to whether pit bulls have a disproportionate tendency for violence. Originally bred to attack large animals like bulls and bears, pit bulls are now a common choice in personal defense or illegal dog fighting.