Boy recovering from pit bull attack

WEST VALLEY CITY — Andrew Vanderwerff no longer has a hole in the side of his face. And, much to his delight, he is enjoying hamburgers and french fries again.

The 5-year-old boy had his right cheek bitten off during a pit bull attack Oct. 24 in West Valley City. Since then, Vanderwerff has had to undergo several skin-graft operations. But his family said the boy seems to be on his way to recovery.

A synthetic skin graft was placed on Vanderwerff's face about a week ago. This week, the boy went for a checkup at Primary Children's Medical Center and learned the skin graft was working, according to Vanderwerff's aunt, Julie Moffitt.

"It is the best news ever," she said.

Vanderwerff is scheduled to undergo another surgery on Monday, this time to put a real skin graft, taken from his scalp, over the top of his synthetic graft.

"We love Andrew with all our hearts, and we're sincerely happy to see that that awful hole in Andrew's face and heart is beginning to fill in just fine," Moffitt said.

The biggest indicator of knowing Vanderwerff is feeling OK following surgery is when he asks for a burger and fries, she said.

An account to help the family pay for his medical bills has been established at all Wells Fargo banks under his father's name, "Geoff Ray Vanderwerff — Andrew's Get Well Account."

Wearing a stocking face mask to protect his injury, Vanderwerff was able to go out trick-or-treating this year, despite the fresh injury, his aunt said.

The pit-bull attack happened on a sidewalk near 4200 West and 3000 South, down the street from Vanderwerff's home. "Tang," the large pit bull that attacked him, had gotten out of his pen and his fenced yard.

Tang's owner claimed Vanderwerff had abused his dog in the past and would often come uninvited into his yard. He believed the boy was responsible for releasing the dog.

West Valley Animal Services, however, cited Tang's owner on four counts: for having an attacking dog, having a dog running at large, no dog license and no proof of rabies shots.

A court hearing was expected to be held at a later date to determine Tang's future.

e-mail: preavy@desnews.com