16 injured as three pit bulls attack children in schoolyard

Associated Press, 02/10/98 21:55

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) - Three pit bulls attacked a group of children playing in a schoolyard Tuesday, biting them on the hands, buttocks, legs and backs before a teacher and passerby jumped in.

None of the 14 children - or two adults who intervened - were injured seriously.

``From nowhere, here they came,'' said the passerby, city license inspector Marilyn Goodman, 45, who was bit on both forearms, the left ankle and one breast.

``Kids were running to get into the building while others tried to get them off kids,'' Goodman said.

Teachers rushed out of the Uptown School Complex, using brooms, sticks and rocks to ward off the dogs. About 200 children were having recess at the time.

Kashard Smith, 19, was arrested after some witnesses said he was with the dogs when they attacked, although police said they received conflicting reports about Smith's role.

At a minimum, Smith was to be charged with 16 counts of allowing a dog to run without a leash, Detective Joseph LaTorre said.

Two dogs were captured and taken to an animal shelter to be tested for rabies and other diseases. A judge will decide their fate, LaTorre said. The third dog escaped.