'Vicious' dog attacked 1-year-old child

OHIO --  Brookville dog has been ruled vicious after it attacked a one-year-old child in August.

The Montgomery County Animal Resource Center declared the Jack Russell Terrier vicious on Thursday. According to a statement from the organization, a judge ruled on Wednesday that the dog could be returned to its owner, Teresa McIntosh-Hall.

The dog was being held at the Animal Resource Center after officials said it attacked a 1-year-old girl at the KOA Campground in Brookville in August.

The family of the child bitten said in a letter that the dog has a history of becoming aggressive. They say campground staff told police the dog bit another child in the past and also attacked another dog. 

The letter also states that Hall also admitted this was not the first time the dog bit someone.

"While we are disappointed with the judge's ruling, we are abiding by it, but in the interest of public safety, we felt it was our duty to declare this dog as vicious," said Animal Resource Center Director Mark Kumpf in a statement.

Animal Resource center officials said the dog is still being held at the center.

Hall must now get the dog neutered, vaccinated, get rabies shots, get a microchip implanted in the dog and secure a dangerous dog tag before ARC will release the dog.  ARC will also verify through a home check that she has a secure enclosure for the dog at her home.  Once she completes all those tasks, Kumpf says a court hearing will be conducted.  She can then receive the dog, unless a judge orders more restrictions be met.

(WHIO - Oct 2, 2014)