Three Injured In Fairbury Dog Attack, Including Child

A dog attack in Fairbury last week left three people injured, including a seven-year-old child.On Monday, September 8, 2025, at approximately 4:01 p.m. the Jefferson County 911 Center received a call in reference to two dogs that were seen attacking a small child in the 1500 block of H Street in Fairbury. According to Sheriff Nicholas Georgi, upon arrival it was found that a dog, unprovoked, had attacked a seven-year-old female while she was riding her bicycle, “A neighbor had witnessed the attack and immediately attempted to stop the attack. While the neighbor was attempting to get the dog off the child, another dog that belonged to the same owner started to bite the neighbor.”The Fairbury City Ordinance Officer was driving on H Street while the incident was occurring and immediately stopped and responded to stop the attack as well. Between the mother of the child, the neighbor, and the Ordinance Officer, they were able to get the dog off of the child.The child, mother of the child, and the neighbor all sustained injuries from the attack.The Jefferson County Ambulance responded and immediately started to render aid to those involved. The child was transported to Jefferson Community Health and Life by ambulance and, later, transported by helicopter to Children’s Hospital in Omaha with very serious injuries.Both of the dogs were caught and seized by the Fairbury City Ordinance Officer. What Happens Next?Sheriff Georgi indicated, “Once the mandatory quarantine period is up both dogs will be euthanized per the owner’s request. An appointment has already been made and once the mandatory quarantine is up the dogs will be transported to a vet by the Fairbury City Ordinance Officer.” City’s ResponseAccording to Ordinance Officer Dan Lufkin, the owners of the dog have never been cited for any issues with their dogs previously. Sheriff Georgi also said there are no prior complaints about these dogs. He told FJN, “So vicious dog calls are handled by both the Ordinance Officer and myself. I usually handle the ones when the ordinance officer is off duty and they handle them when they are in the office.”Fairbury Mayor Kelly Davis told FJN, “I have told the Code Enforcement to Crack down on loose dogs. They have ordered some equipment to help them catch the dogs. But catching more dogs creates another problem, which is where to house them. We will look into a bigger pound, but that comes with more problems. Most of the area where the existing pound is in the flood plain.Concerns about dogs running loose or not under proper control in Fairbury have long been a topic for Fairbury citizens on social media and this recent incident has raised a lot of anger online.Lufkin indicated the matter would be forwarded to County Attorney Jospeh Casson. FJN has asked for a copy of the citation. Lufkin responded, “You’ll have to talk to Mr. Casson once I give him their copies.”FJN asked the sheriff, mayor and code enforcement for the name of the dog owner. As of press time, as of press time, the name has not been released. Tort ClaimThis comes on the heels of another dog attack, which led to a tort claim being filed against the City of Fairbury earlier this year.Caitlin Davis filed a claim on April 1, 2025, for $25,000, alleging negligence on the part of the city, after being bitten by a pit bull on April 2, 2024. According to the claim filed by her attorney, Barry Lake of Lincoln, the dog “had been designated as a dangerous dog by the City of Fairbury and the Jefferson County Sheriff on or about October 22, 2021.The amount outlined in the court filing is “to compensate her for all personal physical injuries, medical expenses, lost wages and emotional stress.”The filing estimates medical expenses incurred for the treatment of her injuries at $18,000.

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