4-year-old child suffers dog bite to the neck

MINNESOTA -- A Nicollet County Deputy confirmed that a 4-year-old girl was bitten in the neck by a dog Saturday afternoon on a farm near Courtland.

Deputy Jason Mediger says the child was taken to the New Ulm Hospital and then airlifted to Hennepin County Medical Center. Her current condition is unknown.

The dog, an Australian Shepherd/German Shepherd mix, has no history of dangerous behavior and authorities say the child had been around the dog before Saturday's incident.

The circumstances leading up to the attack are unclear, but Deputy Mediger says there was some type of celebration at the home and lots of people were around at the time.

The dog is currently being quarantined by its owners and was confirmed to be up to date on its vaccinations.

The Nicollet County Sheriff's Office says no criminal charges will be filed against the dog's owner as this appears to be a "tragic accident."

(kare11 - Sept 9, 2013)