A dog attack that killed a 7-year-old boy in Corinna June 4 is still under investigation by law enforcement and animal control officials.
Penobscot County Sheriff Troy Morton said Tuesday police are still working to compile state agency reports on the attack that killed Hunter Bragg, of Bangor, which could take a few more weeks. He said no new information is available.
Corinna Animal Control Officer Charles Gould said in the days after the attack that he was still working on confirming reports the adult male pit bull had attacked other dogs before being put in the care of Gary Merchant Jr., at whose home the attack took place. Gould said Tuesday that part of the investigation had been handed over to state animal welfare officials in the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. A call to the department was not immediately returned Tuesday.
The pit bull attacked Hunter Bragg’s throat at 207 Moody’s Mills Road, according to a dog bite report compiled by Gould.
A pit bull isn’t a specific breed, but a general term for several different breeds of bull terrier.
The boy had been playing with two other children in the yard at the time of the attack and was pronounced dead at 5:15 p.m. at the scene.
Jeremy Bragg, 35, Hunter’s father, was outdoors at the residence at the time, but officials said it wasn’t clear if he saw the attack.
The dog, Dakota, was believed to be chained when it attacked the boy, Gould said shortly after the attack. Merchant had been caring for the dog, which had belonged to his daughter in Vermont and wasn’t registered with the town. It was euthanized after the attack at Merchant’s request.
Merchant had seven other dogs on the property that were all registered, according to Corinna Town Manager Serena Bemis-Goodall.
Gould said earlier this month he had never dealt with the dog before the fatal attack.
Madeline St. Amour – 861-9239
mstamour@centralmaine.com
Twitter: @madelinestamour
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