Pit Bull Mix Attacks Nutley Infant: More Details Released

Nutley, NJ – Nutley police have released more information about a dog attack that left a local infant in need of more than 70 stitches and three plastic surgeries.

According to police, the incident took place on March 25, when the dog – reportedly a pit bull mix - ran out of a Satterthwaite Avenue house.

The dog then allegedly attacked an 11-month-old infant who was being pushed in a stroller by her mother, police said.

• See related article: Nutley Dog Bites Infant, 70 Stitches Needed: Police

“Police responded within minutes to find a neighbor in the process of separating the dog from the child,” Nutley Detective Anthony Montanari stated. “Officers on scene secured the dog in the rear of a police car and transported her to police headquarters, while the child was rushed to an area hospital.”

Police said that the father of the child reported the young bite victim received dozens of stitches, underwent plastic surgery and spent three days in the hospital for injuries sustained to her right leg.

Nutley Mayor/Police Director Alphonse Petracco and Police Chief Thomas Strumolo paid a visit to the ailing child and expressed their sympathy for her injuries.

“This was an awful tragedy… the family and the defenseless child must have been traumatized by the incident,” Petracco stated.

According to Strumolo, police issued the dog's owner several summonses, including failure to license a newly acquired dog, vicious dog and prohibited dog at large.

The canine is presently quarantined at a local animal shelter, pending judicial order, authorities stated.

The incident remains under investigation by several departments and agencies and is scheduled to be heard in court, authorities added.

• See related article: N.J. Readers Weigh In: Are Pit Bulls Dangerous?

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