Man Chokes, Punches Neighbor's Dog After Canine Bites His 9-Year-Old Son

A nine-year-old boy was hospitalized after he was attacked by his neighbor’s dog in Hewitt, Texas, on Friday.

Hewitt Police Chief Jim Devlin said the unidentified boy was playing football outside his home when the canine managed to break free from the owner's leash and chased the victim down the street before attacking him. The boy was bitten in the upper arm area. Meanwhile, upon hearing the boy’s screams, his father rushed outside and pulled the dog off the victim. He then rushed the boy to the Baylor Scott & White Hillcrest Medical Center with “significant” wounds.

Police said the investigation was ongoing and the dog was allowed to stay with its owner as he claimed to have all of the correct shot records. Police added that an animal control officer arrived at the owner's home Sunday to verify the shot records and it was up to the officer to decide what steps need to be taken next.

Meanwhile, the dog's owner, Rodrick Champman, reached out to NBC-affiliated television station KCEN TV, to share his side of the story. He said his daughter was walking the canine when it broke free from her and attacked the boy, who was his neighbor. He said his pet was off the victim when his father choked the canine “until his tongue was hanging out.” The man then punched the dog before slamming it violently to the ground. Champman said his daughter started screaming as she thought the man was going to kill her pet.

Champman said he went to the victim’s home to check on him after he was discharged from the hospital, however, he soon left the house after the boy’s father began fighting with him. Champman said the victim’s father followed him to his yard and tried to fight again. Another neighbor rushed to the scene and stood between them until police arrived. Champman added that the neighbor’s dog had previously chased his children.