Community treats dog bite victim to Halloween she almost missed

WTHR – NEW CASTLE, Ind. (WTHR) - Tuesday was trick-or-treat do-over night for Cailynn Moore, a day after she was nearly tricked out of it by a trip to an emergency room.

It happened Monday, according to animal control officials. Cailynn was visiting a neighbor's house when she apparently tripped over the pit bull lying on the floor.

The dog bit her near the eye. She spent Halloween having plastic surgery.

Sheena Moore, Cailynn's mom, said doctors have yet to determine if the eye itself was damaged.

"That's all she talked about last night, missing Halloween," Moore said.

Cailynn even woke a neighbor at 5:00 Tuesday morning.

"She was still kind of confused about where all the kids were," said family friend Amy Page. "She was ready to trick-or-treat, but nobody had lights on."

So she posted on social media that a few friends should stage a Halloween sequel.

"When I saw the friend post that she had been injured, I just felt like we needed to do something," said Jaime Moffitt

"Everyone deserves a good Halloween," said one celebrant.

That spirit turned into a big "trunk-or-treat" Tuesday night in front of the trustees office in New Castle. There was plenty of candy. But also plenty of what Cailynn really likes about Halloween.

"I can't believe Katy and Alexis are here!" she said.

"They came to see you and came to trick-or-treat with you," Cailynn's mom said.

That's the treat for Cailynn's mom. "It means a lot to me," she said, holding back tears.

Cailynn likes other things about Halloween.

"Because it's scary," she said, laughing. "Everyone freaks me out when they're in their costumes."

And there's more treats ahead for Cailynn. Wednesday is her fifth birthday.

Animal control says it does not consider the pit bull that bit Cailynn vicious. It will stay in quarantine for 10 days and the owner will be free to reclaim it if the dog shows no sign of rabies.

The neutered male dog was up-to-date on its shots, according to officials.