Dog Blamed For Mauling California Toddler Released Due To Lack Of Evidence, Parents Upset!

A six-year-old Labrador mix named Dexter was impounded last week by authorities after the dog was blamed for an attack on a one-year-old boy named Kaidyn Sutton. However, following an investigation, authorities have determined that the dog could not have been behind that attack, and it was a case of mistaken identity by the people who identified the dog.

The attack that took place on Friday left the toddler with horrific injuries to his face – including a gashed forehead and severed nerves, reports CBS News. The boy’s mother and a friend had identified Dexter to be the dog that was behind the attack as reported by the Inquisitr. The actual circumstances under which the attack happened is unclear. However, following investigations and a recent second interview with a witness, it was deduced that Dexter could not have been the dog that attacked the toddler.

The family members of the toddler are, however, upset about the verdict and feel that the dangerous dog was let off without justice being done.

“I’m very upset about it. I feel that there has been no justice done,” the boy’s father said.

Earlier, family members of the toddler told local TV channels they were sure that the dog that attacked the toddler was indeed Dexter. According to the mother, the dog bit the toddler again on the cheek when she tried to save her child. After the attack, the toddler was rushed to a hospital where he is recovering now. Doctors say that the boy could suffer from permanent nerve damage to his face because of the grievous nature of the injuries.

Soon after the attack, Animal Services impounded the dog after it was identified as the one who attacked the child. After almost a week of investigations, authorities decided that Dexter was too mild-mannered to have been the ferocious dog that attacked the toddler. Animal Services authorities have also applauded the owner of Dexter in his co-operation with the investigation.

Animal Services Director Robert Miller says;

“Anytime your dog is being taken away, it’s very stressful. Dexter’s owners, however, completely understood our role and handled this incident with grace.”

Meanwhile, the family of the injured toddler has hired an attorney who has claimed that there have been other instances where the mild-mannered Dexter had bitten people. They claim to know a neighbor who says she was bitten by Dexter as well.

The family members maintain that they themselves are dog lovers – but want the right dog to be caught as they believe it is too risky to leave a dangerous dog on the loose again.

“The opportunity for the dog to strike again is now an actual possibility – it’s absolutely terrifying,” the boy’s grandfather Glenn Garrett said.

Meanwhile, authorities say that they are now on the lookout for the dog who actually bit the toddler. According to NBC News, they believe that it was a large dog with markings similar to those of a Rottweiler. Authorities are also seeking help from the public in identifying the dog that mauled the little boy.

[Image Via CBS]