Dog Attacks 4-Year-Old Girl In RivCo, Bites Her In Face

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — A young girl was attacked by a dog at her grandfather's Riverside County property this week, suffering "several" bite wounds to her face as she played, officials said Wednesday. The tot was hospitalized and released following the attack — and the dog was surrendered for for humane euthanasia.

It happened around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday on Corson Avenue in the unincorporated area of Mead Valley, south of March Air Reserve Base, according to John Welsh with the Riverside County Department of Animal Services.

"Reportedly, the grandfather allowed one of his dogs out of a kennel run, or the dog managed to escape," Welsh said in a news release. "It’s unclear at this point exactly what happened."

Welsh said the 5-year-old male hound mix "charged the girl" as she was playing at or near a porch or patio at the property. It's believed that the attack was "unprovoked," he said.

"Riverside County Animal Services’ officers are familiar with the owner and the property," Welsh said. "Dating to 2015, officers cited the property for a kennel violation because the owner had more than four dogs on site. Property owners in Riverside County are required to obtain a proper kennel license when they are caring for more than four dogs."

Welsh said the man may have been breeding dogs at the location.

"We’re still looking into what caused this incident, but we believe this sad case illustrates yet again that dog owners need to be extra vigilant with their pets when children are present,” Animal Services Director Robert Miller said. “We are always especially troubled when toddlers are seriously injured."

— Image courtesy Riverside County Department of Animal Services