At approximately 9 am this date, the Baxter County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Baxter Regional Medical Center in Mountain Home, Arkansas for a report of a child being attacked and bitten by a dog.   The hospital had contacted the Sheriff’s Office to report that a child had been brought to the Emergency Room by private vehicle. Deputy Doug Meurer and Investigator Sgt. Brad Hurst responded to the hospital and began the investigation.

     According to the mother, Amber J. Moody, her son, 3-year old Ryland Moody was attacked and bitten by the family’s 9 month old Pit Bull Terrier in their front yard around 8 am.   She told authorities that after the attack she and a male friend brought the child to the hospital.

     The preliminary investigation reveals that Amber Moody adopted the Pit Bull Terrier from the Humane Society on March 7, 2012.  Although the Humane Society has a policy of not adopting Pit Bull Terriers to families with young children, the adoption paperwork that was filled out and signed by Amber Moody indicated that she put ‘none’ in the section of the form asking about children.  (All shots and vaccines were up to date at the time of the attack)

     3-Year old Ryland Moody had severe trauma and bite wounds around his face and head.  He was air lifted to Arkansas Children’s Hospital where he was rushed into surgery.  No other condition is available at the time of this release.

The dog has been taken to a local veterinarian and is being quarantined.  The Investigation  is continuing.

Sheriff John Montgomery