On Tuesday, Xi’an police announced the detention of two suspects on criminal charges in connection with a dog attack that left a young boy injured. Authorities confirmed that the remains of the dog involved have been recovered. The victim, a 4-year-old boy named Zhang Yichuan, is currently receiving hospital treatment and is reported to be in stable condition, according to CCTV News.
The attack occurred on Saturday in Huokou Village, Baqiao District, Xi’an, the capital of Northwest China’s Shaanxi Province. Upon receiving the report, police quickly responded, launching an investigation that involved analyzing surveillance footage, conducting door-to-door inquiries, and collecting information from the public.
Investigations revealed that the dog, owned by a 34-year-old man identified as Guo, escaped unrestrained onto a village road, where it attacked the boy. Following the incident, Guo attempted to avoid accountability by relocating, killing, and burying the dog to destroy evidence. A second individual, Zhang (male, 42), assisted Guo by providing false statements to the police.
Both suspects have been detained on criminal charges, and the dog’s remains have been recovered. Further investigations into the case are ongoing.
According to Red Star News, the attack happened while Zhang Yichuan was playing near the entrance of the village. The boy suffered severe injuries and was unconscious when his family found him. On Sunday evening, he was undergoing emergency treatment in the ICU of Xi’an Children’s Hospital, where his condition remained critical at the time.
Photographs of the boy’s injuries show two deep lacerations above his left eyebrow and brow bone, as well as multiple bite wounds on his arms and legs. Medical reports detail “extensive avulsion injuries from dog bites to the head, face, and neck,” along with “multiple lacerations on the upper and lower right limbs.”
The boy’s father informed Red Star News on Sunday afternoon that blood replacement therapy might be necessary if ongoing anti-infection treatments prove unsuccessful.
Doctors have warned that facial disfigurement is unavoidable. While the boy’s eyeballs are intact, the condition of the underlying tissues remains uncertain. Potential complications include strabismus (eye misalignment) and asymmetry of the mouth, which could result in water leakage while drinking. Additionally, one of his ears was torn off during the attack and will require surgical intervention. Even if reattached, the ear may lose functionality, according to Red Star News.
