ELMIRA, Ore. – The recent attacks by a dog on Elmira Elementary School grounds have left families in the community seeking accountability from the dog’s owner. One of the victims, eighth grader Khloe Bartram, suffered serious injuries when the dog attacked her while she was cutting across the school grass. According to Bartram, the dog had escaped from its harness and attacked her as she was walking from the high school to the middle school on February 13.
Bartram’s father, Jason Bartram, described the severity of the attack, stating that the dog’s mouth was large enough to bite through her upper lip and on the top of her head. Fortunately, her friend was able to pull the dog off of her, but she still required medical attention, leaving the hospital with five stitches on her face and a staple in her head. The incident has sparked concerns among parents, as it is not the first time the same dog has been involved in similar attacks.
According to the Fern Ridge School District, dogs are prohibited on school grounds, but the owner of the dog has reportedly been seen disregarding this rule. In fact, another parent, who wished to remain anonymous, revealed that her daughter was also a victim of an attack by the same dog just three months ago. The owner’s response to the situation has been deemed inadequate, leading to calls for more accountability on the owner’s part.
Jason Bartram emphasized the importance of dog owners ensuring the safety of others, especially in public places like schools. He stressed the need for dogs to be under control, especially if they have a history of aggression. A police report has been filed, but the primary concern for the community is to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. The series of dog attacks has raised questions about the safety of students and the responsibility of dog owners in the area.