A 5-year-old boy from Southern Utah is recovering after being attacked and bitten in the face by a dog over the weekend.
According to family members, Leo Fuller had been playing with friends on Saturday morning when the incident occurred. His father, Brayden Fuller, said Leo went to hug a friend’s dog when the animal suddenly lunged and bit him.
Neighbor’s Quick Response
Nearby resident Dylan Wall heard terrified screams and ran to help.
“I didn’t know what was happening at first, but he was bleeding badly,” Wall recalled. He removed his shirt to press against Leo’s wounds and control the bleeding until help arrived.
Emergency responders from Hurricane City arrived shortly after and transported Leo to St. George Regional Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery for severe facial injuries.
Extensive Injuries and Surgery
Doctors discovered that the attack had severed a nerve from Leo’s upper lip to near his ear, and a jaw muscle had been completely torn. Surgeons performed reconstructive procedures to repair the damage.
“His recovery will take time, but he’s strong,” his father shared.
Community Support and Investigation
A GoFundMe has since been launched by Wall to help Leo’s family manage ongoing medical bills. The fundraiser describes Leo as “a bright, loving boy whose life changed in an instant.”
Fuller told authorities the dog, described as a German Shepherd mix, had previously attacked another person earlier that week. He said animal control initially quarantined the animal but did not remove it due to lack of space at the facility.
“It’s been hard knowing this could have been prevented,” Fuller said.
As of Wednesday, Hurricane City Police confirmed the dog has now been taken into custody and is being held under quarantine at a local veterinary facility for a ten-day observation period, as required by Utah law. The case remains under investigation and possible charges are pending.
Despite the trauma, there’s a bit of light at the end of the tunnel — Leo was recently spotted smiling and enjoying Halloween festivities with his family at a local Trunk or Treat event.
