The following was received from a law enforcement agency. The person(s) named is/are innocent unless proven otherwise in court.
WILDWOOD – The Wildwood Police Department responded to the beach in the area of Rio Grande Avenue Aug. 16, at about 6:30 a.m., for the report of a dog bite.
According to a release, upon arrival officers and medical personnel located the victim, an 11-year-old male visiting Wildwood with his family from Bridgewater. He sustained a dog bite to the face which caused extensive injuries.
The child was transported to Cape Regional Medical Center and ultimately airlifted to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) for further treatment.
During the investigation, it was learned that the dog and its handler were walking on the beach when they approached the victim and his family. After requesting permission to pet the dog, the victim approached the animal, at which time the dog leaped forward and bit the child in the face.
As family members realized the severity of the injury and called 911, the handler fled the area with his dog prior to the arrival of emergency services.
During the continuing investigation conducted by the Wildwood Police Department Detective Division, surveillance video captured from multiple sources as well as multiple tips provided by the public via various social media resources led to the identification of the handler as John Kalin, 28, of Wildwood. Kalin ultimately turned himself in with his attorney.
Kalin was charged with violation of law Intended to protect public health and safety, a third-degree crime, as well as various local ordinance violations pertaining to having his dog on the beach.
This charge was placed on a warrant complaint in accordance with bail reform guidelines, and Kalin was lodged in the Cape May County Correctional Facility.
The Wildwood Police Department thanked the public for the assistance provided in solving this case.
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According to a release from Shore Animal Control, the agency was contacted at 5 p.m. Aug. 16 by the Wildwood Police Department to take possession of the dog.
Shore Animal Control Officer Alexis Condo took the dog to the Cape May County Animal Shelter for quarantine.
The canine is a mixed breed named Biggs. Middle Township police assisted in the dog’s transfer at the shelter.
The dog was extremely aggressive at the time.
