PHOTOS: How 4-year-old Child Was Eaten By Two Angry Dogs

I used to think dogs are more friendly with kids but not until this saddening incident happened. The tragedy struck one 4-year-old Omonigho Abraham and he's currently battling for his life at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja.

4-year-old Omonigho was severely attacked by two wild dogs (Photos: Samson Folarin)

The incident which happened last week Thursday on Adegboyega Street, Akesan Estate, in the Igando area of Lagos, saw the boy's scalp eaten by two dogs. The beast of a dogs chewed open the boys skin and exposed his tender skull.

We learnt that the dogs while eating the boy kept dragging him around the compound for more than an hour as policemen and onlookers watched helplessly. They couldn't intervene as they were equally scared of being attacked by the savage dogs.

7-year-old Osemudiamen, who happens to be the victim's immediate elder brother narrated that the wild dogs had chased him, their elder brother, Bobby, and Omonigho, while they were taking turns in riding a bicycle in the neighbourhood.

“We were riding a bicycle in the compound when the big dogs, Jack and Gadaffi, started barking at us. Later, they moved towards us.

“My elder brother and I quickly ran upstairs and locked the door while Omo (Omonigho), who could not run fast, was left behind.

“When he got to the door, he knocked that we should open for him and as we did, one of the dogs forced his way into the house with him.

“We all ran out. Bobby jumped down from upstairs and I also jumped. But Omo could not jump, so the dog attacked him.

“The other dog also joined in the attack and there was nothing we could do.”

The boys however screamed for help which attracted passersby and residents of the area. About 7 policemen from the Igando Police Station also arrived but watched helplessly from the gate in confusion of how to rescue Omonigho.

An eye witness, Mrs. Ebele said:

“The police came, but said there was nothing they could do. The dogs were growling as they ate the child alive and that sent fear into everyone. Nobody could move inside to challenge the dogs. Everybody was just shouting in confusion and wielding sticks.”

The boy's mother was not around when the terrible incident took place. A devastated Mrs Helen Abraham said:

“When I got there, I met a crowd. They asked me not to go inside, but I refused to listen to them. One of the dogs emerged from the corridor with blood stains in its mouth. I ran inside. The other dog, on sighting me, pounced, but I fought back. It later ran away. I called on people who joined me to take him to a hospital.

“This has been a nightmare I want to wake up from.”

According to Omonigho's father, Mr Odia Abraham, the medical doctor at the Igando hospital has urged them to transfer the severely injured kid to LASUTH as they might not be able to handle an injury of such extreme.

“The doctor at Igando said his condition was critical and we should take him to LASUTH. When the incident happened, I was away at work.

“But when I got home, I saw parts of my son’s scalp on the floor. The dogs dragged him through the compound for about one and half hours and nobody moved near them. His face was also affected, but thankfully it did not get to his eyes.

“His two brothers, who survived, also got injured. The seven-year-old who spoke with you has a fracture, which we are still treating. The other, who is 13 years, has a minor injury.

“We celebrated Omo’s fourth year birthday in June. He is a very intelligent boy and he always tells me he wants to be a soldier because he loves to protect people. I am hoping this thing will not affect his brain,” he said.

Meanwhile, the police have arrested one Stanley Wesly who is reportedly the owner of the dogs.

Residents said they had warned Wesley about his dogs but the owner rubbished their reports. An angered resident said:

“We became more concerned when he brought a third dog recently which was more ferocious and bigger than the others. Whenever he took that dog on a walk, even adults would be scared.

“People told him to find a place to keep his giant dogs, but he refused to listen. It was the new dog that first followed those children into the house.”

 One of the medical officers condemned the attack and said the victim was in a "serious and critical condition."

 However, the police have claimed they actually rescued the victim. Police spokesperson, DSP Kenneth Nwosu, said:

“I can confirm to you that on September 25, at about 5.40pm, dogs belonging to one Stanley Wesley attacked and harmed a four-year-old boy and the matter was reported at the Igando Police Division.

“The report from the Divisional Police Officer indicated that the dogs were being kept to undergo some tests, while their owner had been arrested. The report that the police did not do anything is not true.”

SHARE THIS