Georgia Boy Survives Three-Dog Attack After Best Friend Stays To Help

An 11-year-old Georgia boy is recovering after being mauled by three dogs near Axson on 13 September, according to the Atkinson County Sheriff's Office and his mother.

Banner O'Berry suffered 17 open wounds to his legs and underwent about three and a half hours of surgery, his mother, Jessica O'Berry, said.

The sheriff's office said the attack happened near Wood Duck Road at about 3.30 p.m. and that the main attacking dog was a pit bull. The breeds of the other two dogs have not been released.

Banner had been riding a four-wheeler with his best friend, 11-year-old Karson Clayton, when the vehicle broke down, Jessica said, adding the boys got off the four-wheeler to work out what was wrong when three dogs spotted them from across an open field and ran towards them.

Jessica said the boys climbed on top of the four-wheeler after realising what was happening. One of the dogs then grabbed Banner by the ankle and pulled him from the vehicle, she said, before the other two joined the attack.

Banner's Mother Describes the Attack

Jessica described the incident in a Facebook post after receiving a call while she was in Utah. 'Today was quite possibly one of the scariest days I've ever experienced as a mama,' she wrote. Jessica said she was told: 'Jessica, I'm so sorry, but Banner was attacked and he's hurt bad.'

She said Banner and Karson had been riding the four-wheeler when it broke down and that Banner got off to investigate the problem.

'Anybody who knows Banner knows he's going to try to fix anything with a motor, so naturally he got off and began trying to figure out what was wrong,' she wrote.

Jessica said the dogs then approached the boys. 'Once they realised what was happening, they climbed on top of the 4-wheeler,' she wrote. 'One of the dogs grabbed Banner by his ankle and snatched him off. The other two joined in.'

According to Jessica, Banner had a pair of pliers and used them while trying to fend off the dogs. She said he managed to grab one of the animals and hold it down while attempting to fight off the others.

She said Karson stayed with Banner, throwing objects at the dogs, screaming and trying to get help. 'Meanwhile, Karson stayed with his best friend, throwing any and everything he could, screaming and doing absolutely everything in his power to get those dogs away from Banner and get help,' Jessica wrote.

Jessica said Karson's parents lived less than a mile away and arrived after Karson contacted them. The sheriff's office confirmed that three dogs were involved in the attack and said one was a pit bull. Authorities have since taken one of the dogs into custody for a 10-day hold while the investigation continues.

Banner Suffered 17 Wounds

Jessica said Banner was taken by ambulance to Coffee Regional Medical Center, where he underwent about three and a half hours of surgery.

She said doctors closed 17 open wounds on his legs. Jessica also said Banner called her from the ambulance and asked her to tell his football coach that he would not be able to finish the season. She said he also wanted his father to find his Crocs, which he had lost during the attack.

ACMS Football said in a social media post that Banner's family thanked Karson for his actions during the incident.

Jessica praised both boys in her Facebook post, particularly Karson for staying with her son. 'I can't put into words how proud I am of BOTH of these boys,' she wrote.

Addressing Karson, she added: 'You were scared too. You're only 11 years old too. You could have ran, but you didn't. You stayed with my son.'

Jessica described Karson as a hero and said Banner's determination may have helped him survive. 'Today that fight in him may very well have saved his life,' she wrote.

Allegation About the Dogs' Owner

Jessica also said the dogs' owner arrived at the scene after the attack. She alleged that the owner took the dogs away without asking whether Banner was all right or calling 911.

'He looked at Banner bleeding and never asked if he was ok, never called 911, never administered aid, and only grabbed the dogs and left,' Jessica wrote.

That allegation has not been independently verified. The sheriff's office has not publicly described the owner's actions at the scene.

Investigation Remains Active

The Atkinson County Sheriff's Office said one of the dogs involved in the attack has been taken into custody for a 10-day hold. Authorities are taking further steps to petition to have the dog declared dangerous.

The investigation remains active. No arrests or charges have been announced, according to WALB. For now, Jessica said her focus is on her son's recovery.

'Today three vicious mutts picked a fight with the wrong two 11-year-olds,' she wrote. 'Those boys were brave. They were courageous. They fought for each other.' 'And today, my baby is still here,' she added. 'He will have a courageous story to tell.'

Banner remains in recovery following the attack, while authorities continue investigating what happened near Wood Duck Road.

Under Georgia's dangerous-dog law, a process exists to investigate and classify dogs and notify their owners. Owners can request a hearing after a classification determination, and the law provides for further review in certain circumstances.

The specific legal consequences in this case will depend on the investigation's outcome and any subsequent classification proceedings.