Pit Bull Puppy Chews Off Baby's Toes
News Edition: 12/11/2006
Bossier, LA-- A couple was booked on charges of child desertion and criminal negligence after a pit bull puppy chewed off four of their month-old baby's toes.
Mary Shannon Hansche, 22, and Christopher Wayne Hansche, 26, told police they were sleeping on a mattress on their living room floor with the baby in an infant seat beside them. They say they were awakened by the infant's cries, saw her mangled foot, and rushed her to the hospital at about 8:30 a.m. Sunday.
The baby had surgery Sunday, but her toes could not be reattached, police spokesman Mark Natale said.
The Hansches did not see the 6-week-old pit bull biting the baby, according to Natale. It had no record of receiving its shots and was quarantined for 10 days to check for rabies. Natale said he did not know what would happen to the puppy after that.
"This puppy might have been trying to nurse on the toes of this baby," veterinarian Michael Dale speculated. "I know that sounds a little far fetched, but that's the first thing that comes to my mind."
But another veterinarian, Dr. Valri Brown, is not sure the dog is responsible for the injuries. She said if the puppy chewed off the infant's toes, it would not have happened quickly.
"It would have to be a period of time - maybe at least an hour," Brown said.
The parents are being held in the Bossier Parish Jail pending an initial court appearance. The baby is now in foster care. |
