By: Jillian Wilson
jwilson@cbs4qc.com
A 7 year old Galesburg boy died Saturday afternoon from injuries he sustained in a dog attack. Galesburg Police officers arrived at 675 Whiting Ave. just after 1pm.
They found a pit bull biting the boy. Police were able to pull the dog off the boy then the dog turned on them. Officers shot the dog to prevent any further attacks.
The boy was transported to Cottage Hospital but later died from the injuries he sustained.
Police are withholding the boys name until notification with family members.
Owners of the pitbull say they tried everything they could to rip the dog off the boy, but even with a shovel and a lighter it was too late.
"My son pushed me out the way and just ran up there and start beating the dog and I could just see the dog had this baby," says Ashiya Ferguson, pitbull owner.
The Ferguson family says they've had their pit bull for a year and a half.
But yesterday, they saw a completely different side of him.
"It was devastating because he's never acted aggressive. I never see him doing something like that to anybody," says DeAndre Moren, who tried stopping the dog.
Family members say they'll never forget the screaming and the brutal scene of their dog mauling a child.
"We had to kick him and punch him and my son grabs a shovel," says Ferguson.
Ferguson says her son was beating the dog, trying helplessly to stop it.
She even tried burning the dogs nose with a lighter.
"I just dropped it and screamed and told my mom to call the police and she's like I'm already doing it," says Ferguson.
Police shot the dog as it began to attack them. The child was taken to cottage hospital. He died 40 minutes later.
"I feel guilty. I feel guilty I blame myself. I'm sorry and I feel so bad," says Ferguson.
Ferguson says she takes responsibility for what happened. But she prays it will never happen to anyone again.
"Anybody who has dogs I don't care if it is a pit, a rot, get rid of them. Cause you never know when a dog could turn on you," says Ferguson.
Funeral arrangements will be held tomorrow at Hinchcliff in Galesburg.
