AXSON, Ga. (WALB) — The three dogs that attacked 11-year-old James “Banner” O’Berry are set to be euthanized Friday, Sept. 25, according to the Atkinson County Sheriff’s Office.

O’Berry was riding a four-wheeler when he said three dogs dragged him off by the ankle and attacked him.

“I was on top of the four-wheeler, and three dogs drug me off by the ankle, and they was attacking me,” O’Berry said.

O’Berry said he tried to get away during the attack. O’Berry’s friend, Carson Clayton, and Clayton’s father helped him during the attack, the boy said.

Family reacts to no charges filed

O’Berry’s sister, Danny McMillan, said she was 45 minutes away when she learned her brother had been hurt.

“Immediately, I thought, well, mama started the conversation by, Banner’s hurt,” McMillan said. “And I was like, he flipped his foot with her, because I knew he was riding before I left. And I was 45 minutes away. So I was very, very nervous and scared. And then I heard it was dogs. And then I got even more scared because I knew if Banner’s hurt by dogs, it had to have been bad. So it was like instant fear through my body.”

McMillan said she got to the hospital before her parents.

“I have to be there for him,” McMillan said.

McMillan said the dogs’ owners signed paperwork to have the animals euthanized.

“It makes me feel 100 percent better,” McMillan said, referring to the dogs no longer being able to hurt anyone else.

Family’s message to dog owners

McMillan said dog owners should keep their animals confined.

“I feel like every dog is theirself,” McMillan said. “And as somebody who has owned animals, you know how vicious your animals can be, whether they’re protective or not. So I would say, you know, you should always watch your animals regardless. Have leashes. And if you know they’re vicious, you shouldn’t have them around, or at least have them locked up 24-7, if you want to keep them that bad.”

O’Berry said he doesn’t know when he will be able to return to playing football and baseball.

McMillan said she believes her brother will recover.

“It is hard because I’ve watched him play some type of sport for the past three or four years,” McMillan said. “So it is hard, but I know he’ll bounce back soon, and he’ll bounce back harder than ever, and he’ll go back to playing baseball and football.”

The O’Berry family said although the dogs’ owners have not been charged, they are satisfied the dogs will be euthanized because it means the animals will never hurt another person again.

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