Dog attack on child brings indictment against city man

Officials have taken custody of the dog.

STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — A city man will face felony charges related to his dog’s attacking a 10-year-old boy in the city this summer.

A Mahoning County grand jury Thursday indicted Dustin Anglin, 22, of South Heights Avenue, on charges of failure to control or restrain his dog, a fourth-degree felony that carries a maximum penalty of up to 18 months in prison.

Anglin’s pit bull attacked and bit Toris Gonner, 10, of South Heights Avenue, Sept. 11.

Toris was walking to the bus stop with his sister, 9-year-old Vinnasia McGary. The attack happened as the two children reached the bus stop at the corner of South Heights and Sheridan Road.

Mary Campbell, a South Heights Avenue neighbor of the children, was sitting in her car near the bus stop waiting to put her children on the school bus just as Toris and Vinnasia approached the stop.

Campbell said a large brown and white pit bull and a smaller dog ran out as the two kids approached the corner. The large dog immediately went after Toris, she said, biting him on the leg and then running to Anglin’s small house nearest to the corner.

Youngstown police officers arrived at the home minutes after the attack and could hear a large dog barking inside the home.

Mahoning County Dog Warden Dave Nelson took possession of the dog shortly after the attack.