Grandma demanding change in state dog laws after 7-year-old attacked in Hampstead

HAMPSTEAD, N.C. (WECT) – Hampstead is home for Tracy Smith, her husband, and their 7-year-old grandson Cason.

It’s also where they say a neighbor’s dog attacked Cason just over a month ago.

While dog-sitting for the neighbors in Pender County, Smith says one of the dogs got loose.

“I’m calling the dog and all of a sudden within the blink of an eye, the dog has just attacked Cason from the back,” she said.

It happened in the front yard of their home.

“All could see was the dogs head latched to the back of Cason’s head,” said Smith.

He ended up with seven deep wounds, four of which reached his skull.

“Had the wound gone down just a hair, it would’ve killed him,” said Smith.

Luckily, over 100 stitches later he’s home. But, so is the dog that attacked him.

“Cason loves to ride his bicycle, Cason loves to play basketball,” said Smith. “He will not do these things now.”

She said he hasn’t done any of those things since Nov. 22 when the attack happened, knowing the dog is still next door.

North Carolina law states “The owner of a dangerous dog shall be strictly liable in civil damages for any injuries or property damage the dog inflicts upon a person.”

However, the law defines a ‘dangerous dog’ as one that has killed or caused severe injury in the past and doesn’t include a dog that’s bitten someone for the first time.

Smith says after that law needs to change.

“It’s not right, it’s just not right,” she said. “That should be a given, the animal must be removed from the home.”

Because it was this dog’s first time showing aggression, Smith says the owners were only told to quarantine the dog for 10 days, which she claims they didn’t do.

“I have been an animal lover my whole entire life,” said Smith. “But when it comes to a human life versus an animal, here in the state of North Carolina, a dog is more important than a human life.”

Smith started a petition online calling on lawmakers to make a change.

“Everything has been limited,” she said. “It’s like we’re frozen in fear.”

Until change happens, she says her family will continue to deal with that fear.

“I don’t know how you move forward because we can’t,” said Smith. “I don’t know where to go from here.”

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