According to Griffin Police, Cpl. Stan Phillips arrived on the scene and observed a pit bull dog attacking the child and an adult who was attempting to pull the animal from the child. Phillips was forced to shoot and kill the dog to prevent further injuries to the child and adult.
Spalding Regional EMS was requested and arrived on the scene and notified Air Life of Georgia based at the Griffin Spalding Airport. A landing zone was established in the Spalding Village Shopping Center nearby and the 5-year-old child was transported to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta for treatment.
The second person was identified as the child’s grandmother who was treated by EMS at the scene.
Investigators are awaiting an update of the child’s condition at this time. The child’s injuries were inflicted by the dog and she was not injured by the officer’s actions, police said.
The pit bull’s body was transported to the Spalding County Animal shelter where employees will make arrangements for testing of the animal’s remains to check for rabies.
The animal was a family dog and was inside the fenced-in area of the family residence, police said. Two other dogs on site were removed to the Spalding County Animal Shelter.
(Please see Friday's print edition for an update on this story)
