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.
Sgt. Sean Waterman said the dog was not owned by the family. Waterman said the dog was abandoned by someone who used to live with the family.
Waterman said the incident could have been avoided if the dog was removed from the home a month ago, after another biting incident which involved the same child.
“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.”
Saginaw County Animal Control officials were not immediately available.
The parents of the victim again called animal control while officers were on the scene Monday, and again were told they would have to pay $130, Waterman said. Meanwhile officers had the dog secure in a closed room in the home.
“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.
Waterman said someone from the animal center came and retrieved the dog.
“This was not their dog,” Waterman said. “I can see them being charged $130 if it was theirs. The second attack could’ve been avoided."
Waterman said last he heard, the victim was still in serious condition at a hospital.
“He shook her like a ragdoll,” Waterman said.
(MLive - March 14, 2013)
