Keyniya Harris was playing in the front yard of a home in the 2300 block of Bluegrass Heights in Rosedale when the dog attacked Monday, according to a police report.
Police said the black pit bull darted across the street and grabbed the little girl's leg.
"When it bit my leg, it was, like, shaking around, around and trying to bite my skin off and everything," Keyniya said.
The dog's owner said the dog was in the house but heard a noise outside and busted out through the screen door.
The girl's mother said she felt helpless as she held her injured daughter.
"I get down the street, and she is laying in front of one of the neighbor's doors with her leg all opened up from this big old gash from where the dog done ripped her leg apart; and all I can do is sit there and comfort my child until help comes," Loretta Harris said.
Keyniya was taken to Franklin Square Hospital for treatment and later transferred to Hopkins, where she received 40 stitches.
The Harris family said they have not spoken to their neighbor since the incident, but the attack has sparked a health department investigation.
Health officials said the dog's owner has been cooperative throughout the process.
Keyniya's mother said there must be consequences to prevent an attack from happening again.
"We have to take responsibility for ourselves, and then when owning an animal, you need to take responsibility in your animal and suffer the consequences," Harris said.
Harris said she has hired an attorney and plans to press charges.
Health department officials said they will decide Friday whether to pick up the dog and cite the owner.
(WBAL - Oct 14, 2011)
