A family’s dog attacked their seven-year-old daughter. It happened after the mom briefly stepped away. The girl suffered serious injuries.
The dog was usually loving but was, however, unwell. The dog laid on Mia, like he often did, and was heavy and squashing her. Mia tried to push him off and accidentally touched his belly, which hurt him. He turned and bit her.
Mia got cuts on her hip, and her face had paw wounds, and his tooth went into her cheek. Mia’s sister brought a cloth for the bleeding, and Mia had emergency surgery to fix her cheek. She’s had multiple surgeries; one drained an infected abscess.
Mia is recovering but loves dogs, but the event scared Mia’s older sister. The sister has trouble sleeping and can’t look at Mia’s face, and the dog now lives in police kennels.
Mia was one of three kids attacked within 48 hours in South Yorkshire last week. Police showed photos of injuries and urged parents to be more careful, as last year, there were 347 dog cases involving kids under 15.
A police chief said this can happen to anyone, and a dog can attack your child. Owners need to do more, she said, noting that earlier, a teen needed surgery after a Cane Corso severely attacked her; the dog was killed with the owner’s okay.
Before Mia’s attack, another boy was bitten by a Pit Bull in Thorne, which is near Doncaster. He had puncture wounds, and the police took the dog.
The police chief stated bites happen at home and often involve dogs kids know. Kids under seven are more likely to get bit because these little kids can’t read dog warnings. Dog attacks put a huge strain on police, who work to prevent these attacks and give support to dog bite victims.
Police advise families to follow simple steps. Don’t leave kids and dogs alone, and give dogs a safe space for visitors.
