MINNESOTA -- It may be three strikes and out for a dog on Mendota Street in Saint Paul. For the third time in two years, the 175 pound animal has bitten a child.
The dog is a Presa Canario Mastiff, a dog breed from the Canary Islands in Spain, originally used for working livestock.
"It was a huge dog," recalled Annie Moua, 19, a neighbor who said her school mates at the corner bus stop avoided getting too close to the dog, which was chained in an unfenced yard. "It constantly barked at us, so, it was kind of scary because it was so huge."
On March 11, 2010 the dog, named "Blue", bit a 4-year-old child. However, Animal Control authorities determined that the dog had been provoked by the child who stepped on the dog's genitals. The dog was not declared "dangerous".
On January 2, 2012, the dog bit the same child, then 6. In that case, the authorities did declare the dog "dangerous". However, since the owner appealed the decision the declaration did not become official.
"Animal Control did take the dog," said Sgt. Paul Paulos, Saint Paul Police Spokesman. "They quarantined the dog, by ordinance, for ten days and that is to see if the animal has any reaction to the bite."
The dog was licensed and its inoculations were up to date. However, it is likely that the dog will be destroyed, since the owners have indicated to police that they do not want to have the animal returned to them.
(KARE - May 25, 2012)
