Owner Charged After Dog Attacks Child

Fairfax County Police Department
Public Information Office
4100 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, Va. 22030
703-246-2253. TTY 703-204-2264. Fax 703-246-4253
FCPD-PIO@fairfaxcounty.gov
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police
Media Advisory: 09/149/2639/LHC(2)
May 29, 2009

Owner Charged After Dog Attacks Child

Mount Vernon Police District – A 3-year-old boy is recovering from serious wounds he sustained after being attacked by a pit bull at a party on Saturday, May 23. Police responded to a home in the 8500 block of Mount Vernon Highway around 8:30 p.m. An investigation revealed that the dogs’ owner took the boy to visit with her two pit bulls, in a room in the home. One dog attacked the victim, who ran away and hid. Several minutes later, someone found the injured boy, returned him to his parent and called authorities. The boy was transported to Inova Fairfax Hospital with serious injuries to his face and arm.

On May 28, Animal Control Officers arrested the dogs’ owner Erika R. Williams, 24, of 8531 Mount Vernon Highway. She was transported to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center and charged with the following nine offenses: Abuse and neglect of children, failing to secure medical attention for an injured child, obstructing justice, withholding information about a possible rabid animal, vicious dog, two count of no rabies vaccinations and two counts of no county dog license.

Erika Williams