Pit Bull Chases, Attacks 1st Grade Students During Outdoor Recess

NEW HAVEN, CT —During morning recess at Lincoln-Bassett School, a pit bull attacked three first graers, one of whom was taken to the hospital, according to schools spokesperson Justin Harmon.

The dog came on to school property Tuesday morning as first-graders were playing and it began to chase the children, Harmon noted in a news release. He said that school staff responded by getting children indoors, or out of the dog’s reach, on the gym equipment.

"Unfortunately, one child was bitten and was transported to the hospital for treatment," he said. "Two others were treated on scene for scratches. Their parents were notified."

The Lincoln-Bassett School social worker and a psychologist met with first graders "to help them process what happened," Harmon said, adding that, "Going forward, we will conduct their recess inside the enclosed playground on the school property."

Harmon thanked both New Haven police and New Haven fire paramedics who responded to the scene.

"Our students’ safety is our highest priority," Harmon said.

New Haven police spokesperson Scott Shumway told Patch at around 4:30 p.m., that officers are still investigating and that neither the dog, nor its owner have been located.

Right outside the school last month, while kids were outside playing during recess, gunshots were fired from a passing car. Harmon noted in a press release at the time that the school's "security officer and school personnel got the children inside rapidly," and that police "responded immediately. No one was injured.