One Rushed to Upstate After Dog Bite to The Face in City of Cortland

Just after 12:30 in the afternoon on Thursday, December 26th, both Cortland Fire and TLC Ambulance were dispatched to an undisclosed address in the City of Cortland’s Sixth Ward for a reported dog bite.

On arrival at the scene, Cortland Fire says a frantic parent directed them to the patient, whose identity and age was not released. First responders found the patient sustaining facial injuries from a dog bite. A rapid assessment was done and the patient was quickly loaded into an ambulance and transported to the hospital.

“Recognizing the severity of the injuries, one of the City of Cortland Firefighters, who is also in Paramedic class, was sent to the hospital with the TLC Crew.” Deputy Chief of Cortland Fire, Derek Reynolds said in a release.

Due to the injuries, the patient was taken to Upstate University Hospital. The firefighter that assisted in the ambulance with TLC, did not leave the patient’s side until care was transferred to a physician at Upstate, Cortland Fire added. Cortland Fire says that firefighter used his advanced medical training he received and a calm demeanor to keep the patient calm from arrival at the scene to the medical intervention at Upstate.

Cortland Fire told X101 News the patient is in stable condition at this time.

“This call not only highlights the advantages of the advanced medical skill training firefighters receive, but also underscores the significant impact of the FEMA SAFER Grant the Department received in 2023.” Reynolds continued in the release.

The grant has funded five members who train at SUNY Broome to become a NYS Certified Paramedic. The program is 12-months long and Cortland Fire says it has been instrumental in their capabilities for the City of Cortland.