Attack victim getting back to business of being a kid.
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COLE COUNTY -- The dog that bit a Cole County boy back in May will be put down.
Stormy Garlin, 29, the owner of the mastiff that bit five year old Rocky Scrivner recently pleaded guilty to one count of misdemeanor endangering the welfare of a child and one count of misdemeanor animal abuse in court. Garlin also faces restitution and community service.
Rocky Scrivner's family says they're mostly satisfied with the outcome.
"He's a five year old. They bounce back pretty quick,” said Cindy McDaniel, as she sits on the couch, watching her stepson Rocky Scrivner play the Nintendo Wii.
Scrivner has jumped right back into life and that means doing normal kid stuff again like playing video games.
"He's really good at the ski jump. Really, really good,” said McDaniel “He's good at the hula-hoopin, and all that stuff too.”
Scrivner was playing in the backyard with some other kids when the unrestrained dog ran in, knocked him down and started biting. Scrivner came out of surgery that night with more than 100 stitches running down his right cheek and chin.
"Rocky was really lucky,” said McDaniel “He doesn't have any permanent damage. Outside of a scar there was nothing that's going to impede his life."
Scrivner started kindergarten this fall. So far, he's loving school.
"He's making A's so far and has no behavioral problems,” said Jaimie Dake, Rocky's mother.
Both Dake and McDaniel think Garlin's punishment was deserved.
"I don't think she should be able to own a dog at all,” said Dake.
"I don't think she should have had a dog. At all. But ya know it happened and hopefully everybody learns from this,” said McDaniel.
In fact, local doctors and emergency responders will learn from Scrivner, using his story and pictures to better prepare for other cases of dog bites in the future.
Above all, the family wants to thank the community, who has donated to Rocky's fund and helped them move past the ordeal. They especially want to thank the first responders who came to Rocky's aid after the attack and the local Pizza Hut chain, who hosted a benefit.
The family meets with Rocky's plastic surgeon later this month to check his progress. He may still face another surgery down the road to lessen the appearance of his scar.
