“On behalf of the Saginaw County Animal Care Center, we extend our well wishes for a speedy recovery to the child involved in the incident on March 11, 2013, with the dog in Buena Vista Township," Wilken wrote in a press release. "Saginaw County Animal Care Center (SCACC) responded to the call and removed the dog from the property. The dog is currently under quarantine at SCACC."
According to police, the dog was abandoned by a former roommate of the family living in a home on Apollo, near Dixie.
The family told officers it was the second time the dog bit their 2-year-old daughter.
Buena Vista Sgt. Sean Waterman said the situation could have been avoided.
“Last month, the dog became aggressive and bit the child,” Waterman said. “The family called Saginaw (County) Animal Control to remove the dog but was told they would have to pay $130. The family could not afford that.”
While officers were at the home Monday, residents were on the phone with county animal control officials asking them to come and remove the dog but were told it would still cost them $130, according to Waterman.
Waterman, who is handling the case, said officers had to threaten to shoot the dog before the agency would send someone.
He said the toddler was transported to Covenant HealthCare and, the last he heard, was in serious condition.
Wilken declined comment further until the investigation is complete.
“The matter is currently being investigated," he said. "Until the matter has been thoroughly investigated, SCACC will not be able to comment any further."
(The Saginaw News - Mar 15, 2013)
