Deputies still search for dog who bit boy’s nose off
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The family of a boy who was attacked by a dog last month is still hoping the owner steps forward.
Nine-year-old Desean Bass is preparing for major surgery later in March to repair part of his nose that was bitten off by the loose dog on Feb. 11 at River City Scholars Academies’ playground on Evergreen Street SE near Blaine Avenue in Grand Rapids. The dog’s owner was caught on surveillance video.
“We are still hoping for him to come forward on his own,” said Rosalyn Morgan, Desean’s mom.
Desean was playing at his school’s playground when he was attacked by a loose dog unprovoked. Video shows the dog being brought to the school by three children.
‘Come forward’: Boy attacked by dog hopes for answers
The Kent County Sheriff’s Office’s investigation is ongoing.
“I just don’t want things to die down and they forget about him, you know?” Morgan said.
She’s asking the public for help.
“We want to thank the community for the GoFundMe donations and we hope the community can come together to find this guy and at least give the sheriff’s a heads up if they do know who the person is,” Morgan said.
The Kent County Sheriff’s Office released images asking to identify the dog’s owner.
“I’m sure he talked about it and someone heard him talk about it because it was a 9-year-old kid and I know the kids saw it. So if your kid probably heard kids at school talking about it, that would help. Call Silent Observer, call the sheriff, we just need help to find this person. It’s not fair what my son went through,” Morgan said.
It’s been nearly three weeks since the bite and in three more weeks, Desean will undergo his first major surgery.
“He already went through the rabies shots so we just want the owner and we want to know why he didn’t stay. I have no mercy for him. As much mercy he had for my son, that’s just about the same,” Morgan said.
With more kids outside during warmer weather, Morgan has a warning for all dog owners.
“I don’t care how friendly your dog is, keep it on a leash and away from kids playing at the park because obviously anything can trigger a dog off because he wasn’t even messing with the dog,” she said.
Morgan said the dog’s owner is responsible and she wants to prevent another kid from being bit by a dog like a Desean was.
“The little kid that did bring the dog, he tried to help Desean, it was (the owner) that just left. So, if anybody hears kids talking about a dog attacking a child, bring it to the sheriff’s or whatever Animal Control, it will help.”
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help cover medical costs for Desean’s upcoming major surgeries.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
