The young Cochrane boy who suffered a dog bite to the face is well on his way to recovery, says his father.
Tyler Benjamin — known as Tyler LeClaire — was attacked on Jan. 12 by a female pit bull owned by his sister’s boyfriend. After surgery to re-attach the seven-year-old’s right cheek, Ron LeClaire said his son is “ready to go home.”
“He’s 100 per cent better than what he was,” LeClaire. “The stitches are out already — there were probably around 100 of them — and he’s off his IV. Now, it’s all about healing.”
Despite the quick recovery, LeClaire said his son remains concerned about being teased about any scarring to the right side of his face.
“It’s hard to imagine it right now, because the area is still so purple, but scarring is expected to be minimal,” said LeClaire. “I keep reassuring Tyler of that, and so does the plastic surgeon.”
LeClaire said he’s expecting to be able to take Tyler home by the weekend of Jan. 26.
The two-year-old pit bull, however, won’t be returning home after her ownership was relinquished to the Municipal Enforcement of Cochrane, said Emily Cargan, communications manager at the Town of Cochrane.
“I’m glad the dog was surrendered,” said LeClaire. “I know the fate of the dog still has to be decided, but in all fairness to Tyler, the dog should be put down.”
Charges have been filed against the dog’s former owner and he is expected to pay a fine of $450, said Cargan.
Currently the City of Calgary Animal and Bylaw Services is housing the dog.
Following a 10-day quarantine period, ending Jan. 23, the dog will undergo analysis before it’s fate will be decided,” said Cargan.
Last week Tyler, a Glenbow Elementary School student and avid hockey player, enjoyed a visit in his room at the Alberta Children’s Hospital from Calgary Flames goalie Miikka Kiprusoff and the team’s head coach Bob Hartley. The visitors left a signed jersey for the young hockey fan.
“It was a nice visit,” said LeClaire. “It was the first time I saw Tyler smile in awhile.”
