Last modified: Tuesday, January 6, 2009 10:41 AM PST Dog attacks Vale youth By Argus Observer staff VALE —  A young Vale child suffered minor injuries after he was attacked by a mix-breed dog Saturday as he was playing in an enclosed yard with another youth. Malheur County Undersheriff Brian Wolfe said a deputy was on patrol just after 4:30 p.m. when he noticed a black dog inside the enclosed yard had a boy, 5, by the arm and was dragging him around. The deputy yelled at the dog, which did not respond, and went to a gate and entered the yard to rescue the victim. “The deputy had to kick the dog off the boy,” Wolfe said. He was assisted by an employee from a nearby lumberyard, who heard the boy screaming. A girl, 5, who was also playing in the yard, was also trying to help the boy. After the boy was freed and in the deputy’s arms, the dog still attempted to continue the attack and had to be fought off, Wolfe said. Once outside fence, the deputy closed the gate, but the dog was able to escape by crawling under the fence and ran to its home. The owner of the pit bull, boxer and black lab mix, Darlene Hicks, Vale, was cited for allowing her dog to run at-large and for a nuisance dog and not having the dog licensed. Wolfe said the boy was in his yard and had not bothered the dog. Wolfe said the dog has not been put down and it will be up to Hicks to decide if that is an option she would take. He also said, in cases such as these, owners will often choose to put the animal to sleep because of the liability issues that come with having a vicious dog. He also said the court could mandate such an action. Wolfe said it is important for dog owners to remember to keep their dogs secured. “That’s just what you should do as a dog owner if you choose to have that type of dog,” he said. Wolfe recommended five-sided pens, with four sides and a roof to keep the dog secured. He said the Malheur County Sheriff’s Office will cite owners for dogs they find running loose. He also said there are precautions others can take to prevent dog bites. “If you are attacked by a dog there are certain things you can do, it depends on your capabilities,” he said. Though a five-year-old is not able to defend himself very well, Wolfe said. pointing an object such as a stick or a garden tool “right at the dog’s nose”, will sometimes keep the dog from attacking. He also said some runners and joggers opt to carry pepper spray.