Atkinson, GA — An 11-year-old football player was left with 17 open wounds after three dogs attacked him while he was outside with his best friend Sunday, according to his mother and local authorities.
Banner O’Berry was with his teammate when the four-wheeler they were riding broke down. As the boys got off to try to fix it, they suddenly spotted three dogs running toward them, his mother, Jessica O’Berry, said in a Facebook post.
The boys quickly scrambled back onto the four-wheeler, but the dogs continued charging toward them.
One of the animals reportedly grabbed Banner by the ankle and pulled him off the four-wheeler, before the other two dogs joined the attack.
Boy fought back with a pair of pliers
As the dogs attacked, Banner desperately tried to protect himself.
His mother said he managed to grab one of the dogs and hold it down while attempting to fight off the others with a pair of pliers that were nearby.
“He managed to grab one of the dogs and hold it down while trying to fight the others with those pliers,” Jessica O’Berry wrote.
The boy’s friend also stayed with him during the attack and tried to help.
According to his mother, the friend was “doing absolutely everything in his power to get those dogs away.”
The attack eventually left Banner with serious injuries to both legs.
Injuries required hours of surgery
The 11-year-old suffered 17 open wounds to his legs, injuries that required extensive medical treatment.
Banner was taken to Coffee Regional Medical Center, where doctors performed three and a half hours of surgery to treat his wounds.
The ordeal was particularly difficult for the young football player, who was concerned that his injuries would prevent him from finishing his season.
His mother said she received a call from Banner while he was being transported in an ambulance. He was reportedly “hurting like hell” and asked his mother to contact his football coach to explain that he would not be able to finish the football season.
Despite the setback, Banner later managed to return to support his teammates.
Dogs placed under 10-day hold
The three dogs involved in the attack have since been taken into custody by the Atkinson County Sheriff’s Office for a 10-day hold, Chief Danial Knapik said.
Authorities identified one of the dogs as a pit bull, while the other two are suspected to be hound and terrier mixed breeds.
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The sheriff’s office has also started a court process to determine whether the animals should be designated as “vicious animals.”
According to Knapik, notification paperwork has been served to the dogs’ owners as the legal process moves forward. The investigation and court proceedings will determine what happens to the animals following the attack.
Young football player returns to the sidelines
While Banner is still recovering from the injuries, he recently made an appearance at a football game to support his team.
On September 16, the 11-year-old attended the game in a wheelchair and cheered from the sidelines. Photos shared by his mother showed Banner watching the game with bandages still visible on his legs. For his family, seeing him back around his teammates was an emotional moment after the frightening attack.
“This warmed my heart!” Jessica O’Berry wrote while sharing photos from the game.
What do you think about Banner’s determination to support his team while recovering? Share your thoughts in the comments.