published: Thursday, February 21, 2013

Stray dog attacks in Sylvan Shores area

By CHRISTOPHER TUFFLEY

christopher.tuffley@newssun.com

SEBRING -- Wednesday evening two little girls were attacked by a stray dog on Chatsworth Street in Sylvan Shores. As of noon Thursday the dog was still at large.

People in the area are warned to be on the look out for a mid-size brown -- possibly brindle -- male bull dog mix.

"Descriptions vary," said Darrell Scott, director of animal control for the county. "But everyone is agreed the dog's face is fleshy with extra skin, like a Shar-Pai's."

Scott was looking for the dog Thursday morning, as were Joshua Worley -- the father of Haley and Mckenzie -- his father Jimmy Worley (a carrier with the News-Sun), and his friends.

The attack was sudden, Joshua Worley said.

It was about 6 p.m. and he was working on his truck while the girls -- one just turned 2, the other turning 3 in March -- played next to him.

"I heard a rustling in the woods and here's this dog," Worley said. It headed directly at Haley and Mckenzie. Worley jumped off the truck, and rushed to get between the animal and the girls, but the dog was quicker. It attacked Mckenzie, biting her in the face. Haley tried to hit the dog with her fists, but it turned and attacked her.

Worley had to punch and kick the dog to free the girls, lifting them up out of danger,

"I just ran as fast as I could to the truck and raced to the hospital," Worley said Thursday morning, adding he was still in shock.

Both girls have puncture wounds on either side of their face. Mckenzie also needed five stitches for a wound to her head.

Do not approach this dog if it appears. Call animal control at 655-6475. After regular business hours call the Sheriff's Office dispatch at 402-7200.