Clark County Animal Protection and Control is investigating a dog bite incident that sent a 3-year-old Hazel Dell girl to the hospital with severe injuries.
An officer with the agency responded to the report of a pit bull that bit the girl’s head about 10:30 a.m. Sunday at 3705 N.E. 80th Street.
The girl is listed in good condition at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center after undergoing surgery, animal control agency manager Paul Scarpelli said. KATU-TV reported the girl is Janessa Sutterfield.
Investigators are in the middle of interviewing witnesses to the incident and the owner of the 5-year-old pit bull named Clyde. The dog owner is cooperating with the officers, Scarpelli said.
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Scarpelli said the owner of the house is both acquainted with the dog owner and the young girl, though officers are working to determine how familiar the girl is with the dog.
The dog owner relinquished Clyde to animal protection, where it remains, Scarpelli said. They have not observed signs of rabies.
“We’re trying to focus, at this point, on finding out if there’s fault to be had: if a citation needs to be issued, medical bills need to be paid,” he said.
Scarpelli said that young kids represent the highest percentage of victims of dog bites.
As part of dog bite prevention week, Clark County offers tips on how to not get bitten at the website http://www.clark.wa.gov/development/animals/dog_bites.html.
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