Dog attack sends 12 schoolchildren to hospital in Tulsa

Twelve children are recovering after a dog attack at their elementary school playground in Tulsa sent them to the hospital.

Some 28 third- and fourth-grade children were in the playground during recess when a pit bull entered through an open gate and started biting students at Fillmore Elementary School around 12:40 p.m., officials said. The dog then made its way into the school itself, where a teacher tackled it in the hallway.

“Several students at Fillmore ES were bitten by a dog who entered the playground,” tweeted the school just before 1 p.m. “The dog is in the custody of OKC Animal Control; we are grateful for the quick action of first responders.”

Five of the injured kids were transported to Children’s Hospital at OU Medical Center and seven were taken by their parents, reported KOKH FOX25 News. Wounds were superficial and ranged from dog bites to scrapes and cuts as the panicked children tried to get away.

“The dog came on and started to attack some of the kids, and then of course the kids began to scream and panic, which excited the dog and scared the dog even more, so his natural instinct was to keep biting and going after the kids,” said Oklahoma City Fire Department Capt. David Macy, according to NBC affiliate KFOR News4.

The dog was taken into custody by Oklahoma City Animal Welfare, the television station said.

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