St. Bernard that bit boy will go to rescue group

By Alex Bridges - abridges@nvdaily.com

WINCHESTER -- A judge has declared Samson the St. Bernard a dangerous dog for attacking a young boy earlier this summer.

Judge David S. Whitacre entered the order in Winchester General District Court on Tuesday, according to Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Marc Abrams.

The SPCA and its attorney, Paul Thomson, reached an agreement with the commonwealth that also spares the dog's life and sends Samson to a St. Bernard rescue group, Abrams said.

The SPCA must abide by the dangerous dog provisions under the state code, Abrams said. Samson must be registered as a dangerous dog with the state, wear a special tag and follow other requirements, he said.

In addition, the order states that "Samson never be placed in the home where there's a juvenile," Abrams said. It also states Samson, at some time in the near future, will be placed under the care of Julie Little, of a national St. Bernard rescue program, and will live in Hastings, Mich., according to Abrams.

"This is a terrible situation with a young child that may have some permanent scars or injuries from this and hopefully it'll make everyone aware that this kind of situation can occur," Abrams said.

The Winchester chapter of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals had taken custody of Samson after the incident on North Loudoun Street. Samson bit the boy, Joshua Barrett, in the face and caused injuries that required surgery at a University of Virginia pediatric hospital.

The SPCA had declined to euthanize the animal because of questions surrounding the attack.

A hearing on the civil complaint had been scheduled for 10 a.m. today.

The boy could have been a witness in the case, Abrams explained. The matter did not involve civil damages that could come up in a separate court action.

The victim's family has been "informed throughout" the process, Abrams said.