Mother speaks out about son's mauling death
Posted August 03, 2009 11:00 pm
JOHNSTON CITY -- A southern Illinois woman whose 3-year-old son was mauled to death by dogs outside their home in June says she still hasn't had time to mourn and doesn't know how the tragedy could have been avoided.
Authorities say Gabrial Mandrell-Sauerhage pushed out the screen in a bedroom window at his family's home near Johnston City and crawled outside. He was attacked by two pit bulls and a collie mix while the family thought he was sleeping.
His mother, Michelle Sweeney, says the boy's body was found about 100 feet from the house and that his carotid artery had been punctured by a bite wound.
She says initially it looked like the boy had gotten caught up in barbed wire.
No charges have been filed.
The dogs have been euthanized.
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