Seven-year-old Zion is recovering from injuries to both hands and arms after a dog bit him multiple times on Sunday. His mother, Shannon Moultry, says he currently needs help with everyday tasks, including eating, while the wounds heal.
The attack happened Nov. 8 at a family member's home, where Zion and his siblings were visiting, according to Cleveland 19 News. Moultry told the station the dog had recently been rescued. She said she learned something was wrong when her oldest son called her crying, and understood the extent of Zion's injuries after reaching the hospital.
Photos shared with Cleveland 19 News showed Zion's hands swollen and bloodied and his arms wrapped in bandages. Moultry told the station that the bites had injured his hands across his fingers and on both sides.
Doctors Left the Wounds Open to Prevent Infection
Moultry said doctors left the wounds open rather than stitching them closed because they were concerned that closing them could trap bacteria. She said Zion's dressings must be changed daily, and that the changes cause him significant pain.
Moultry said Zion has been out of school since the attack and cannot yet feed himself. She is hoping for a full recovery and has reassured him that he will be able to run and move his arms normally again.
What Cleveland's Animal-Bite Rules Require
Cleveland 19 News said it had requested a police report. In its discussion of animal-bite rules, the station cited Cleveland Codified Ordinances, § 205.01. The station said details about the dog's ownership, its current whereabouts and any official response were not available at the time of reporting.
Reporting bites and Cleveland's dog-bite data
The City of Cleveland Department of Public Health directs people seeking to report an animal bite to call Animal Control at (216) 664-3069 or visit the Division of Animal Care & Control. The public guidance cited here provides a reporting contact but does not specify a reporting deadline or quarantine or observation period: City of Cleveland Department of Public Health. A 2025 cleveland.com report, citing Cleveland's own data, said the city had 459 dog-bite reports. The cited figure does not specify the period covered or how reports were defined.
The Proctor family also told Cleveland 19 News about two attacks by the same neighbor's dog, one in September 2024 and another in June. The family said Cleveland Animal Control had listed the dog as a Level 2 vicious-dog threat, and that they had filed police reports and contacted animal control while asking the city to intervene.
For now, Zion's family is focused on his recovery and helping him through painful daily dressing changes. Moultry has told her son she believes he will be able to return to running and playing.
