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Why Did “Stitch” Bite Fernando?
posted (March 6, 2015)
Last night, we told you about Fernando Quichan, the 6 year old boy who was attacked by a German Shepherd in Orange Walk. He was playing in the yard when the dog got loose and mauled him - leaving large wounds on his face and on his head. Today, we went to visit Fernando and his mother at the Northern Regional Hospital where he is slowly recuperating. Now, most of the cases involving dog bites and attacks are fueled by provocation but the mother is baffled by this incident because the boy and the dog were inseparable. Here is the story of man's best friend turned into a boy's worst enemy.

Courtney Weatherburne reporting
Stitch may seem like a playful dog, eagerly jumping for his owner. But yesterday morning he wasn't this playful or calm.

6 year old Fernando Cuichan has been hospitalized after stitch attacked him. Fernando's tiny crocs slippers fell off as he tried to run away from stitch. Only to be caught. Now, trickles of blood stain the front steps and pathway.

This vicious attack happened right in front of his mother.

Leslie Cuichan, Mother
"Yesterday at 10 in the morning, the dog began to bark and bark and my kids were playing, my two kids, my daughter and my son. They were playing and I was sitting by the door when the dog got loose and that's when my son said "Stitch got loose", he ran and when he ran the dog followed him, grabbed him and dragged him."

"He has a little puppy and he went to give the puppy water and then he was coming back …he had already given his dog water and he came back to play but then the dog looks like he got upset, forced his way loose and attacked my son and he even wanted to attack my daughter."

Then, Leslie hastily grabbed a stick from the yard to protect her kids. This incident has her shocked because she says Stitch was Fernando's best friend.

Leslie Cuichan, Mother
"He is the only one that played with the dog, the only one that touched the dog the only one, he was always with the dog and this is the first time the dog attacked him like this…and I don't know what happened, I don't understand what happened with the dog."

The owner of the dog doesn't know what happened either.

Voice of: Aldo Chata, Landlord
"From he was a puppy, we raised him. He has never attacked anybody. Until lately they come and live here and actually, I don't know what happened because I was at work. I am really sad. I want to really get in contact with them and with the boy too, because it's rough for them. He is in serious pain right now. I hope everything gets better."

Leslie hopes so too but says this incident has taught her a lesson that she wants others to learn from.

Leslie Cuichan
"Kids, don't play with dogs. I only want to tell the kids to please keep their dogs…even if is it's their dogs - don't have so much trust in dogs and that's for all the kids - don't play with dogs."

Leslie Quichan along with her husband and kids rent a room from the owner Aldo Chata at the house. They have been renting the room for about 5 months and according to Leslie, the dog showed no sign of aggression towards her son before this. According to Chata, the dog is being looked after at another residence. Leslie is also asking for assistance to pay the hospital bill for baby Fernando. If you would like to help you can call 605 - 4736.

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