Police: Herkimer Child Violently Attacked by Pit Bulls

A 12-year-old Herkimer girl was violently attacked and injured by two pit bulls recently as she waited for her school bus on North Main Street.

Herkimer Police are just releasing details of the early morning incident which happened on May 31.

Police say at no time did the children who had gathered at the bus stop ever approach or antagonized the dogs, but they say the two pit bulls became aggressive with the young girl and one latched onto her arm and flung her into the air.

The child suffered two broken bones in her arm and severe puncture wounds. She had to undergo emergency surgery and will likely have to do so again in the future, police said.

The owner of the dogs, 25-year-old Aaron Brown who lives on North Main Street, let his dogs out, unleashed at just about the time the kids were gathering at the bus stop, police said. He is facing charges for violating statutes under the state department of Agriculture and Markets for failing to restrain and register the dogs, among other things. Police also charged Brown with reckless endangerment in the second degree, a misdemeanor.

Additionally, police said Brown was wanted on an active arrest warrant for a charge of criminal trespass in St Johnsville. After being arraigned on the incident connect with the dogs attack, Brown was turned over the St. Johnsville authorities, police said.

No other children were hurt in the incident, Police Chief Michael Jory told WIBX.

The dogs remain in the possession of the town's Animal Control Officer, Jory said.