Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Tuesday, August 12, 2014
(SCIPIO) - A southern Indiana child is recovering after being attacked by two Rottweilers at a home near Scipio on Sunday.
WISH TV reports that, for Tim Hadley, his property is like an oasis for his entire family. They ride ATVs, have family gatherings and play with his dogs. But over the weekend, two of those dogs attacked with near-fatal consequences."
First responders say 6-year-old Joslin Soto is fortunate to be alive following the attack.
Hadley raises Akitas, but he says his two Rottweilers, Ruckus and Mercedes, were the family pets, adored by the whole family, including Joslin.
Hadley is in shock and has never experienced anything like this.
Saturday evening, Joslin and her father, Matt Cooley, who live right next door to her grandfather, went to feed the dogs as they often did. Tim was out of town.
"When the gate opened up to feed the dogs, both dogs came out of the gate and attacked the child. He was unable to stop the attack," said Major Jerry Shepherd.
Tim says his son-in-law got on top of Joslin, but the dogs didn't stop.
"When he got tired, he said, 'Jesus help me!'"
Just seconds after, Hadley's neighbor across the street, who had heard the commotion, arrived in his truck, saw the attack, retrieved his 40-caliber handgun and shot both dogs. Mercedes died instantly. Rukus ran back to his cage. He's since been put down.
Hadley says no one in his family blames him. They're all stunned, including Joslin, who he says is the bravest one of them all.
"She opened her eyes and she said 'Papaw, I'm sorry we had to kill your dogs,'" said Hadley. "Then she shut her eyes for a second and opened them up and said, 'Papaw, why did they try and kill me?;"
For Hadley and his family, all of them are glad little Joslin is going to be OK. Right now, they're only focused on her recovery after this shocking attack.
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