PUYALLUP, Wash. — A 12-year-old boy was attacked by a dog while riding his bike in a Puyallup neighborhood Thursday, an incident captured on security video that has prompted questions about whether the attack could have been prevented.
A neighbor who rushed to help says there were warning signs leading up to the encounter near 14th and Pioneer, where residents had already expressed concerns about the dog.
Neighbor Ben Swick said the dog was often chained to the bumper of a van in the driveway.
“The dog has shown aggression, but because he’s chained to that van, and he’s lunging at everybody that walks byi said Swick.
The video shows what began as a routine bike ride quickly escalating. “He’s out enjoying the fresh air,” describes Swick. Moments later, the large dog charges, knocking the boy to the ground. “He didn’t know what to do. He was very scared.”
Bystanders quickly intervened. Amid honking and shouting to “Get the dog!”, good Samaritans managed to scare the animal away as the boy tried to escape.
Swick described the chaotic scene. “I saw the kid on the ground, kind of bloodied up, with a car next to him. I thought he got hit by a car.”
Swick said he initially misunderstood what had happened but quickly acted to help the injured child. “So I ran back in, got some hydrogen peroxide and bandages a big glass of water, and calmed him down till his parents could show upẠỊi
Metro Animal Services says it had never received a complaint about the dog, but they are determining whether criminal charges will be pursued.
A spokesperson for those services told KING 5 Monday that the dog’s owner has chosen to euthanize the dog.
Animal services employees let the owner know that they were going to be looking into whether the dog should be deemed “dangerous” under state law. That would have required the owner to abide by a series of safety standards like muzzling and securing the animal.
In Washington state, under code RCW 16.08.040, a dog owner is strictly liable for damages – like medical expenses – if their dog bites a child in a public place, regardless of the dog’s past behavior or the owner’s knowledge of its aggressiveness.
“I know he had to have some stitches put in there,” said Swick.
The incident comes amid broader concerns. In December 2024, Pierce County Public Health reported an increase in dog bites involving children.
For neighbors like Swick, the attack remains difficult to process. “I just couldn’t imagine.”
Metro Animal Services’ spokesperson said they will see if they can refer any charges to the prosecutor, but said that investigation process is ongoing.