Theresa Marshall, 39, community manager for Saginaw Community Villas said Thursday, March 14, was the first time she heard the news.
“This is like the first time I have heard anything about the dog biting a little girl at all,” Marshall said.
“I’m actually really shocked. I’ve never had any problems from these residents. They’re good people. I’ve never seen the little girl neglected or anything.
“I didn’t even know the dog was in the home, so that’s probably why they didn’t tell me the dog bit the little girl.”
Marshall said the residential community does not allow pitbulls, and Buena Vista has a strict policy for owners of the animals.
“We have a no tolerance for pitbulls,” she said. “If we find out you have a pitbull, we will actually call the Buena Vista Police Department and let them know that you have a pitbull out here. Because of the strict rules of Buena Vista with the licensing and insurance that you have to have on the dogs, you will get a misdemeanor ticket for them.”
Police were dispatched to the Saginaw Villa trailer park for a report of a dog attack about 4 p.m. Monday, March 11, on Apollo near Dixie. They found the female toddler suffering from massive face injuries caused by a mixed breed pitbull, police said.
The dog was reportedly abandoned by someone who used to live in the home with the family.
Residents of the home told officers it was the second incident of the dog biting their 2-year-old daughter, and that they tried getting rid of the dog but Saginaw Animal Control told them it would cost them $130 for workers to come and get it.
While officers were on the scene Monday, residents were on the phone with animal control officials, asking them to come and remove the dog.
Buena Vista Sgt. Sean Waterman, who is handling the case and is the department's acting chief, said officers threatened to use force if animal control did not send someone out.
“Then my officer got on the phone and told them to send someone to pick up the dog now before he shoots it,” Waterman said Wednesday.
Marshall said the couple may have been trying to get rid of the dog to avoid a fine, as well.
“They know that pitbulls are not allowed on the property anyway, so that’s probably why they were trying to get rid of the dog because if we would have found out they would’ve definitely got fined for it,” Marshall said.
A woman who identified herself as the toddler’s grandmother declined comment Thursday at the home were the incident took place but said the 2-year-old is recovering.
Marshall said she has never had any trouble out from the parents of the toddler.
“I know that the residents here are very good parents,” she said. “They take care of their little girl. They never cause no trouble. They pay their rent on time. I mean, I never have any problems out of these people.”
Marshall said there have not been a dog-biting incident since she started working there in 2009, but she has called officers to report residents who owned pitbulls a couple of times.
(MLive - March 14, 2013)
