Fundraiser For Boy Brutally Attacked By Dog In Wildwood

WILDWOOD, NJ — An 11-year-old boy has a long road to recovery after a dog attacked him in Wildwood. He suffered severe injuries, including losing his nose.

A GoFundMe is helping the boy and his family. The fundraiser supports hospital bills, surgeon costs, travel expenses, lodging and counseling costs.

The boy's family takes annual beach vacations and visited Wildwood this summer. The dog and its owner came across the victim and his family Aug. 16 on a Wildwood beach.

After asking for permission to pet the dog, the child approached the animal. The dog leapt forward and bit him on the face, police said.

As family members called 911, the handler fled the area with his dog, according to authorities. Wildwood police put pictures of the handler on their Facebook page and discovered he was John Kalin, of Wildwood.

Kalin, who turned himself in, was charged with violation of law intended to protect public health and safety — a third-degree crime. He also violated several local ordinances related to having his dog on the beach, police said.

The boy was flown to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, according to Laurie Hardy, the GoFundMe organizer and a close family friend. The child needs many surgeries and will undergo therapy because of the trauma from the incident.

The GoFundMe has raised $9,635 of its $150,000 goal as of Wednesday morning.

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