Greenwood couple charged in dog attack on toddler

Jackson County prosecutors on Friday charged a Greenwood couple in a recent attack by their dog on a 17-month-old boy.

Brett William Cottrell, 42, and Shannon M. Cottrell, 39, each face a charge of “subsequent dog bites, liability of owner,” a felony.

Prosecutors requested a bond of $30,000 for each.

According to court records, the couple’s boxer-bulldog mix attacked the child July 25 in their home in the 1100 block of Elm Street.

Isaiah Francis suffered significant injuries, including skull fractures and more than 60 puncture wounds.

The dog previously had attacked a person in Lee’s Summit, causing serious injury, prosecutors said.

After attacking the boy, the dog disappeared before Greenwood police arrived. Those officers were told that the attack had occurred outside, and Greenwood police made public announcements about the search for a dog loose in the city.

But after questioning neighbors and witnesses, police learned the dog belonged to the residents of the home. Greenwood police verified that the dog was euthanized the day after the attack.

According to information posted on a GoFundMe page, Isaiah’s mother had stopped at the Cottrells’ home to visit. At one point, she placed Isaiah on the floor. Moments later, an older child who lives in the home opened a door and let the dog inside.

The dog attacked the boy’s head. Isaiah’s mother separated the dog from her child and ran outside screaming for help.

He underwent surgery to repair a broken jaw Friday morning at Children’s Mercy Hospital, according to a family friend.

This story was originally published July 31, 2015 at 4:56 PM.