Woman taken to hospital after pit bull attack

VIRGINIA -- A woman had to go to the hospital Friday, after Norfolk police say she was attacked by a pit bull.

Cpl. Melinda Wray with Norfolk police said they received the call about the attack near 18th Bay and Pleasant Avenue, around 7:45 a.m.

“The dog did not look full grown. It looked scared, and I think that’s why it bit me,” Julie Monahan told WAVY.com. “I didn’t see it until it came up. It started barking. I said no. It ran around behind me. It bit me right here.”

Monahan was walking to a friend’s house when she encountered a pit bull. Her reflection on the attack is that it’s just hard to believe.

“I was just walking. I’ve lived in Ocean View some 15 years and I never have been bitten by a dog,” she said.

The victim received an injury that was not life-threatening and was transported to DePaul Hospital. She told WAVY.com she had to get 10 stitches.

Police confirmed the dog’s rabies vaccinations are up to date.

According to police, the dog ran away from home and its owner was not home at the time of the attack.

The animal was taken to the Norfolk Animal Care Center, where it is being held, pending notification of the owner. Authorities said the owner will be charged with maintaining a nuisance animal.

Wray also told WAVY.com the Animal Control officer was familiar with the dog and the owner, after finding the animal “at large” on two separate incidents, in the past. The first incident occurred in 2011, and the second incident was in February 2014.

Both times, the Animal Control officer took custody of the dog and took it to the Norfolk Animal Care Center, then notified the owner. Police say they have not been informed of any previous charges against the owner regarding this particular animal.

(WAVY-TV  - Nov 7, 2014)