4-Year-Old Boy Loses Arm In Tecumseh Dog Attack

A Tecumseh boy is in the hospital after losing his arm in a brutal dog attack.

"I have seen some pretty severe dog bites, dog attacks, but normally they are punctures, tears, scrapes and things like that. Not completely missing a limb," said Tecumseh police Chief J.R. Kidney.

That's what officers found when they pulled up Friday to the home off of Sandy Rock Road and Old Santa Fe Lake Rd.

The little boy, Axel, is 4 years old.

"The dogs belong to the grandparents, and the boy was staying with the grandparents," said Kidney.

According to the police report, Axel's grandpa later told police the little boy had reached into one of their dog pens. Inside were two adult pit bulls and two puppies.

"His arm is in that pen," said one officer in the body camera footage from the scene.

The grandfather said the boy was likely trying to pet the puppies when the male dog, Diesel, attacked.

Officers tried to retrieve the arm from inside the pen.

"The dog was aggressive to them," said Kidney. "They ended having to put the dog down to retrieve the arm."

Police said Axel was taken to OU Health and has been in and out of surgery.

"The family is currently focusing on Axel's recovery and health," said local attorney Michelle Freeman.

Freeman is helping Axel's family but couldn't give News 9 many details. She did give News 9 a picture to use and permission to use the little boy's first name.

Freeman said the family's main request is positive thoughts and prayers.

"Axel is doing well. He's got a family member with him at all times," said Freeman.

Tecumseh police told News 9 they are investigating this case as a freak accident right now.

"We have contacted the Department of Human Services, child services to come in look at the case as well," said Kidney.

He told News 9 the department doesn't have anything that's pointing them in the direction that charges are going to be filed right now, but Kidney said that depends on the outcome of the DHS investigation.

"My caution is any time you have a kid around animals that just had pups, you got to keep an eye on them," said Kidney.