A 9-year-old U.S. citizen who was bitten by several dogs on a Bimini beach was flown to Miami Tuesday after doctors said his injuries were serious and potentially life-threatening. The Coast Guard evacuation ended at Air Station Miami in Opa-locka, where Miami-Dade Fire Rescue took him to Jackson Memorial Hospital.
According to the Miami Herald, a Coast Guard HC-144 Ocean Sentry crew flew the boy from Bimini to South Florida around noon Tuesday. A Miami-Dade Fire Rescue ambulance then transported him to the Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital for specialized care.
Several Dogs Attacked The Boy On A Bimini Beach
Bahamas police said the dogs bit the boy on his face, head, right arm and right thigh. A man who witnessed the attack chased the animals away, allowing the boy to be taken to the Bimini Community Clinic for initial treatment.
Doctors at the clinic determined that the boy needed urgent care beyond what was available on the island, the Miami Herald reported. The Royal Bahamas Police Force located the dogs' owner, who is helping officers find, secure and remove the animals while the investigation continues.
Miami Trauma Center Took Over After Island Evacuation
The transfer placed the boy in a major South Florida trauma system after he was first evaluated in Bimini. Jackson Health System describes Ryder Trauma Center facilities as equipped for lifesaving care and rapid access by ground and air transport.
Authorities have not released additional details about the boy's condition after he arrived in Miami. Police said the attack remains under investigation as officers work with the owner to locate and remove the dogs involved.
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