by Local reports | The Muskegon Chronicle
Tuesday November 25, 2008, 11:03 PM
OCEANA COUNTY -- A Sunday dog-mauling that resulted in severe head injuries to a 13-month-old Hart-area boy remains under investigation by the Oceana County Sheriff's Department. Lt. Tim Priese identified the victim as Gabriel Hambright, the son of Bradley and Tabitha Hambright. He said the baby was mauled by a St. Bernard that once belonged to his family.
Priese said the baby "has a broken jaw, a fractured skull and obvious puncture and tear wounds to the head." The boy was transferred to Grand Rapids' DeVos Children's Hospital from Mercy Health Partners Lakeshore Campus in Shelby. The Grand Rapids hospital would not release information about the child's condition Tuesday evening.
Priese said the incident occurred Sunday evening. The baby had been taken to visit a hunting camp in Crystal Township, he said. After the mauling, the baby was driven to the hospital in Shelby by private vehicle. The Department of Human Services notified the sheriff's department of the incident on Monday.
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MI: Dog-mauling case heads to prosecutor's office
by Lisa Medendorp | The Muskegon Chronicle
Wednesday December 03, 2008, 11:30 PM
OCEANA COUNTY -- A police report of the Nov. 23 dog-mauling of a 13-month-old Hart-area boy will be reviewed by the Oceana County Prosecutor's Office. Prosecutor Terry Shaw said a copy of the report already has been forwarded to the Department of Human Services. DHS is continuing to work with the family of Gabriel Hambright, who was injured when he was attacked by a St. Bernard, according to Sheriff's Lt. Tim Priese.
The son of Bradley and Tabitha Hamright was injured inside a "shack" at a hunting camp, 2222 E. Jackson, in Crystal Township, police said. His parents and the dog owner were present at the time of the attack. They heard a noise and then saw the dog with the child's head in its mouth, Priese said. They grabbed the dog and forced it to release the boy.
The dog had once belonged to the Hambrights, but had been given to its present owner because it previously snapped at the child, Priese said. The current dog owner lives at the camp.
The victim was driven to Mercy Health Partners Lakeshore Campus in Shelby by a private vehicle. He then was transferred to DeVos Children's Hospital in Grand Rapids and was released last weekend to his parents.
Police said the boy suffered a broken jaw and a skull fracture, along with puncture and tear wounds. In addition to determining whether criminal charges could be appropriate, the prosecutor also will be deciding what to do with the dog. The animal remains quarantined at the Oceana County Animal Shelter.
It could be returned to the animal's owner, who is only identified as "P.J." in a police report. Or, the owner could be asked to consent to the destruction of the dog. If consent is not given, the next step would be a hearing in 78th District Court.
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No criminal charges filed in dog mauling case
Thursday, January 15, 2009
By Lisa Medendorp
lmedendorp@muskegonchronicle.com
OCEANA COUNTY -- The Oceana County Prosecutor's Office said Wednesday that no criminal charges will be filed in connection with the mauling of a Hart-area toddler by a St. Bernard dog. Gabriel Hambright, then 13 months, was seriously injured during the Nov. 23 incident at a hunting camp at 2222 E. Jackson in Crystal Township.
The son of Bradley and Tabitha Hambright suffered injuries that included a broken jaw and a fractured skull as well as puncture wounds, according to the Oceana County Sheriff's Department. He was transferred from the hospital in Shelby to DeVos Children's Hospital in Grand Rapids. He spent several days in the hospital before being released to his parents.
The sheriff's department turned its reports of the incident over to the prosecutor's office for review in early December. Medical records also were reviewed prior to making a decision. Chief Assistant Prosecutor Joseph Bizon said Wednesday there was not enough evidence to file criminal charges. "Certainly there is concern over the exposure of this child to this dog," he said, "but we cannot prove the dog was a prior risk."
The child remains at home and the Department of Human Services continues to work with the family on parenting issues, Bizon said. "I am told the child is doing very well," he said, adding that he had received an update.
"As near as we can tell, the parents were visiting a friend, and the next thing anyone knew, the dog had bitten the child," Bizon said. "The dog had hold of the child's head, causing serious injuries." Bizon said authorities cannot prove that a crime occurred. "Certainly there is concern over the exposure of this child to this dog," he said, "but we cannot prove the dog was a prior risk."
The child remains at home and the Department of Human Services continues to work with the family on parenting issues, Bizon said. "I am told the child is doing very well," he said, adding that he had received an update Wednesday.
At first, it was believed the dog had been given to the Hambrights' friend who was staying at the camp, but authorities later determined the animal belonged to the Hambrights, Prosecutor Terry Shaw said earlier. The Hambrights voluntarily relinquished ownership of the dog and it has since been destroyed, Shaw said.
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