The dog was rescued by the family seven years ago.
In early August of last year, the family went away on vacation, leaving the dog behind. "Simon" was being watched by his "regular" sitter and they were playing out in the yard, when a neighbor came into the yard carrying a lacrosse stick.
That neighbor was a 12-year-old boy; one of five boys who live next door. The boy told police his lacrosse ball went into Young’s yard and he had gone to retrieve it. This resulted in the boy getting 11 stitches to his thigh and two to his ankle, and still needs more surgery according to the family’s attorney.
The animal control officer said a public meeting was held with the chief of police, first selectman at the time, state animal control officer, and several residents who expressed their fears about the dog and the liability of returning it to the neighborhood. There had been one reported complaint about Simon involving another dog earlier in the year.
But the family is standing by their dog, pointing out that he never left the yard. Curiously, the breed is not disclosed. But you can get a look at him here: http://www.wfsb.com/clip/14332946/video-family-fights-to-free-dog-from-death-row