The mother of a 3-year-old girl mauled by a pit bull mix at an East Hemet home told officials Thursday that the attack started inside the house and that the canine dragged the child outside, where the attack continued.
Riverside County Department of Animal Services spokesman John Welsh said that he spoke to the mother of the victim to obtain clarification on information initially released regarding the attack, which occurred about 3:30 p.m. Saturday in the 41000 block of Mayberry Avenue, near Columbia Street.
According to Welsh, the woman, whose identity was not disclosed, learned from her daughter that the dog had clamped down on her “inside the house and continued outside, in the backyard, after the dog pulled her out a back door.”
“We should note that when our (animal control) officer arrived at the property, the dog was in the backyard inside a pen of some type,” Welsh said. “The owner had informed us that the dog was tethered and located in the backyard when the attack occurred. The (victim’s) mother told us that was incorrect.”
The child was visiting the location, which is possibly used as a daycare facility, but it was unclear why, and additional questions regarding why the girl was left without supervision in close proximity to the male 2-year-old pit have not been answered.
The canine leapt on the girl, biting her on the face, arms and abdomen, according to Welsh. Occupants of the house came to the child’s aid and stopped the attack.
The child was taken to Loma Linda University Medical Center, where she received nearly 200 stitches to close the bite wounds, according to Welsh. He said she is recovering at home.
According to the Department of Animal Services spokesman, the mother said she has been criticized on social media in the wake of the attack and has retained an attorney. “We won’t get into the details here, but you can imagine what people are saying,” Welsh said.
The canine was impounded at the Western Riverside County Animal Shelter in Jurupa Valley, where it will remain pending an administrative hearing on disposition.
The dog could be euthanized if the owner does not protest the impoundment in the next week.
An investigation into the attack is ongoing.