Xi'an Police Detain Two Suspects Following Dog Attack on Young Boy

On Tuesday, the police in Xi'an announced the detention of two individuals facing criminal charges linked to a distressing dog attack that resulted in injuries to a young boy. The incident took place on Saturday in Huokou village, located in the Baqiao district of Xi'an, the capital of Northwest China's Shaanxi Province. Following a report about the attack, authorities quickly arrived at the scene and began their investigation, which involved reviewing public surveillance footage, conducting door-to-door inquiries, and collecting information from locals.

The investigation determined that the dog responsible for the attack belonged to a 34-year-old man named Guo. It's reported that the dog managed to get loose and wandered onto the village road, where it attacked four-year-old Zhang Yichuan. After the assault, Guo attempted to avoid accountability by moving the dog, killing it, and burying it to hide any evidence of the incident. Another suspect, a 42-year-old man named Zhang, aided Guo by providing misleading statements to law enforcement. Both individuals have been taken into custody while police continue their inquiries.

According to reports from Red Star News, the assault occurred when Zhang Yichuan was playing near the entrance of the village. He suffered severe injuries and was unconscious when his family found him. Following the attack, Zhang was admitted to Xi'an Children's Hospital for emergency treatment in the ICU, where his condition was initially critical. Graphic images of the boy's injuries show deep lacerations above his left eyebrow and numerous bite wounds on his limbs. His medical reports noted extensive injuries to his head, face, and neck, alongside several lacerations on his arms and legs.

Zhang’s father shared that the medical team indicated that if their anti-infection treatments did not work, a blood transfusion might be necessary. The doctors also conveyed that the boy would likely face facial disfigurement and raised concerns regarding the health of the tissues surrounding his eyes. While his eyeballs are intact at the moment, complications such as strabismus and potential irregularities around his mouth are possible, which could affect his ability to drink. Additionally, one of his ears was severely damaged and will require surgery; even with reattachment, it may not function properly in the future, as indicated by the medical professionals.