OHIO -- A Lawrence Township girl is recovering at home after receiving 35 stitches as the result of a dog bite Thursday night.
Six-year-old Lydia Hall was bitten in the face by a neighbor's black Labrador retriever that had come up to a sliding glass door at her residence on Reed Road around 8 p.m. Thursday, according to the Washington County Sheriff's Office. The girl went to the door to pet the dog, which she had interacted with before, and it bit her.
"They said it's always been real friendly," said sheriff's Deputy Kelly Schubert, the county's dog warden. "They've never had any problem with it."
Schubert said she hasn't determined what caused the dog to bite the girl. Lydia's grandmother Lisa Hall, who was at the house for dinner, said it's a mystery to the family as well.
"I don't know what set him off last night," she said.
Lydia was transported by ambulance to Children's Hospital in Columbus, where she received stitches in the emergency room.
"She never cried up there once," Lisa Hall said.
Schubert said the investigation into the incident is continuing. The dog has been voluntarily quarantined by its owner, Margaret Greathouse of 425 Reed Road, to watch for signs of rabies or any other problems, Sheriff Larry Mincks said.
"She's very cooperative and very interested in making sure the little girl is OK," he said.
Schubert said it is unlikely the animal will be euthanized but said the owner could face a misdemeanor charge for failing to restrain the dog.
Lydia's other grandmother, Waterford resident Claire Bolden, said she's grateful the bite didn't cause more damage.
"She's doing extremely well," she said of Lydia. "The lady who stitched her up did a fantastic job."
Lisa Hall, of Devola, said the family is trying to be positive and emphasize to Lydia, who loves animals, that the dog probably did not mean to hurt her.
She also thanked people in the community for the support and well wishes they've shown. Lydia's classmates at Phillips Elementary School made cards for her Friday.
(The Marietta Times - January 21, 2012)
