Southwest Missouri man charged after pittbull attacks his son

A Liberal, Missouri, man is facing multiple felony charges after police say his pit bull mauled one of his children back in April.

38-year-old Jacob Allen Judd is charged with keeping a dangerous dog, child endangerment, child abuse or neglect and abuse of an elderly, disabled or vulnerable person.

Police say Judd allowed his unvaccinated pit bull, Lokey, to remain uncaged and unmuzzled around his three kids.

Investigators say the dog attacked his son without provocation, leaving the boy with lacerations, puncture wounds and abrasions across the arms, legs, torso and back.

The child was treated in Lamar before being flown to Children’s Mercy Hospital in KC for surgery.

Police say Judd’s elderly and disabled mother stepped between the dog and the children during the attack.

Investigators also allege Lokey attacked another person in June 2025, causing serious injuries.

Judd allegedly told police after that attack the dog was not vaccinated and that he would “get rid” of it.

Police say he did not.

Liberal has had a breed-specific pit bull ordinance since 1989.

The city’s current code states it is unlawful to keep, harbor, own or possess a pit bull within city limits, with an exception written for dogs already living in Liberal when the ordinance took effect.

Missouri does not ban pit bulls statewide, but state law can make keeping a dangerous dog a felony when a dog with a prior unprovoked bite attacks again and causes serious injury.

The probable cause statement was filed this week, roughly five months after the April attack.