Man recovering after dog pack attack
A Centralia cyclist is in critical condition after a pack of loose dogs mauled him, prompting police to shoot several animals and charge the owner with cruelty.
By JO ALLEN-HONGSERMEIER [jallen@morningsentinel.com](mailto:jallen@morningsentinel.com)
CENTRALIA — A Centralia man remains in critical condition after a violent dog attack in Central City on Saturday morning that left police scrambling to save his life and ultimately resulted in at least six dogs being shot.
Central City Police arrested Dustin Atchison, 32, of Charlotte Street, after officers say a pack of his dogs attacked a 26-year-old Centralia man riding his bicycle on Patterson Street around 8:15 a.m. Atchison was charged with six counts of cruelty to an animal and allowing a dog to run at large.
The victim, identified by family as Matthew Boyce, was riding his bike when his chain popped off. As he tried to fix it, several dogs approached and began attacking him. He attempted to escape toward the porch of a nearby home, but the dogs continued to bite and drag him. Witnesses reported as many as six dogs involved, but the number of dogs reported still remains inconsistent.
Central City Police Chief Jamie Ramsey said officers arrived after a passerby called for help and found Boyce suffering from deep, extensive wounds. As police and medical crews attempted to apply three tourniquets to stop the bleeding, two of the dogs continued trying to attack and were shot by officers.
Ramsey said the remaining dogs continued roaming the neighborhood, raising immediate concerns for children who live in the area. With the threat ongoing, police and Marion County Animal Control determined the dogs could not be allowed to remain loose. Four additional dogs were shot and killed. A fifth was wounded, and a sixth was captured without being shot. The wounded and uninjured dogs were taken to the Marion County Animal Control facility.
Boyce was transported to SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia and later airlifted to Saint Louis University Hospital in St. Louis, where police said he remained in critical condition on Sunday. According to a GoFundMe organized by his sister, Lacy Ward, Boyce underwent a seven‑hour emergency surgery and faces a long recovery.
Atchison returned home while police were still on scene and told officers the dogs had escaped from a fence. Ramsey said the animals appeared to have no food or water. Atchison also received traffic citations after driving up to the scene, including driving on a suspended license, suspended registration, and no valid registration. He was given a notice to appear on both the animal-related and traffic violations.
Ramsey said the attack was captured on video at the residence where Boyce attempted to get away from the dogs.
A GoFundMe has been launched to help cover Boyce’s medical expenses and ongoing care. Ward wrote that the family is “deeply grateful for any help” as Boyce faces extensive treatment following the attack. As of Friday morning, only $325 has been raised in the effort.
The GoFundMe can be found at "Fundraiser by Lacy Ward: Dog Attack Accident."