Dogs attack students, teachers on the playground of Willard school

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) - Willard School District leaders say neighborhood dogs attacked students and teachers during recess on the school’s playground.

The incident happened Tuesday around midday at Willard Intermediate South, located at 630 South Miller Avenue. School leaders say the dogs injured 18 students and three teachers. The district says six of the victims needed emergency care.

Animal control identified the dogs as two pit bulls and euthanized them after the owners voluntarily handed them over. Investigators are waiting on rabies test results. They say one dog was not vaccinated, and the owners couldn’t provide proof for the other one.

One parent expressed concern over the playground not being fenced in.

”I think that it’s negligent that there’s not a fence around the playground, and I am absolutely grateful that my son was just chased by the dogs and wasn’t bitten,” said Sarah Harris, parent.

Heather Micheal with Willard School District says staff from other schools came to help, along with Willard School police, animal control, and paramedics.

School leaders say they will have counselors on campus Wednesday for students who wish to use that resource. They say they are reviewing the situation with animal control.

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