MANHATTAN, New York – A frightening incident unfolded in a Manhattan apartment Tuesday afternoon when an 11-year-old boy was attacked by a dog. The incident, which took place in an apartment building on the Lower East Side, prompted a swift police response and medical attention.
Just before 3pm, police were called to the scene where an American bulldog had bitten the boy, identified as Joshua Rivera. The attack left Rivera with multiple injuries to his face and arm.
Rivera was quickly transported to a local hospital where he is currently undergoing surgery. Fortunately, he is in a stable condition and medical professionals expect him to make a full recovery from the injuries he sustained during the ordeal.
The dog, named Aries, is a pet belonging to Rivera’s family. The severity of the attack required the intervention of two people to separate the dog from the boy. Rivera’s aunt, who also acts as his guardian, recounted the traumatic experience: “I just heard my nephew screaming… I was bitten myself trying to separate them”.
The circumstances leading up to the incident appear to have centred around a period when Rivera was playing with the dog. According to his aunt, both Rivera and his twin brother suffer from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), which may have contributed to their heightened excitement and inadvertently provoked the dog’s reaction. Rivera’s twin brother, Julian Rivera, corroborated this account, saying: “The dog started biting him, attacking him and jumping on him. I saw it and I ran.
The incident is a poignant reminder of the importance of understanding the dynamics between pets and children, especially in situations where heightened energy levels and unfamiliar environments can trigger unpredictable reactions. As young Joshua Rivera begins his road to recovery, it is hoped that the incident will serve as a catalyst for increased awareness of responsible pet ownership and the importance of safety measures around animals, especially in households with children.
