Written by: E. George
Published January 18, 2023 @ 10:30 AM ET
Columbia County (January 6, 2023) – When officers responded to a canine attack at a Langston Drive residence, they found an 11-year-old victim sitting in a chair in the front yard. They explained that the boy’s scalp was halfway torn off, and his face was covered with blood. Half of his ear had been bitten off, and he suffered deep puncture wounds on both legs.
Accompanied by his mother, the victim stated that he had been riding his bike down the road when three dogs attacked him. His friend, also 11 years old, explained that they were bike riding on Langston Drive, and the dogs ran from a house and chased them. The pit bulls nipped at his ankle, but he kicked one of them in the head and broke free.
He rode up the street to another friend’s house, and within moments, he heard screaming from a nearby ditch. When he ran over to investigate, he saw three pit bulls attacking the victim. He ran to get help and called 911. Columbia County Fire Rescue arrived on the scene and rendered aid.
The officers notified Columbia County Animal Control and attempted to contact the dogs’ owner, Burt Thomas Baker III. Before they could reach him, he drove into the driveway and explained that he lived there. The officers described the canine attack, and he admitted they were his pets, but he was not home at the time of the incident.
Animal control seized several roaming canines from the property, and officers arrested Baker for reckless conduct. He was transported to Columbia County Detention Center. Gold Cross EMS responded and transported the victim to Augusta University Hospital.
Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]
I responded to [100 BLOCK] Langston Dr in reference to a canine attack.
[VICTIM #1] stated he was riding his bicycle in between [200 BLOCK] and [200 BLOCK] Langston Dr. He said the canines from [200 BLOCK] Langston Dr ran down to where he was riding his bike and chased him and his friend [VICTIM #2]. The canines began to chase him and nip at his ankle. He kicked a canine in the head and was able to break free. He then went up the driveway of his friends residence for a minute to talk to him.
[VICTIM #1] said moments later he heard screaming from the ditch. He ran down to investigate and saw three Pitbulls attacking [VICTIM #2]. [VICTIM #1] ran to get help and call 911. [VICTIM #2] was transported back to his residence where his mother, [REDACTED], was notified of the attack. I asked [VICTIM #1] who transported [VICTIM #2] back to the residence and he said he did not recall.
When I arrived [VICTIM #2] was sitting in a chair in the front yard of the listed residence. His scalp was halfway torn off and his face was covered in blood. [VICTIM #2] also had deep puncture wounds on both legs and half of his left ear had been bit off. I asked [VICTIM #2] what happened and he said he was riding bike down the road and was attacked by three dogs. Columbia County Fire Rescue responded and rendered aid.
Columbia County Animal Control was notified at the time of the call. Officer Csira with Animal Control responded with deputies to [200 BLOCK] Langston Dr to attempt to make contact with the owner of the canines. While deputies were attempting to make contact, Burt Baker drove into the driveway and said it was his residence. Burt was advised of the situation. He said the canines were his and he was not home during the time of the attack.
Animal Control took possession of several canines that were loose on the property. Gold Cross EMS responded and transported [VICTIM #2] to Augusta University Hospital. Pictures of [VICTIM #2]’s injuries will be uploaded to the evidence drive under this case number. Investigator Clark responded and the scene was turned over to him. Burt was taken into custody and transported to CCDC.
[End of Narrative]