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Child attacked by pit bull was alone with three other children

Canadian Press

Monday, May 23, 2005

TORONTO -- The child who suffered severe lip and face injuries was alone with three other children in a townhouse when she was attacked by a pit bull, police said Sunday.

The pit bull had recently given birth to a litter of pups and its owner, a 30-year-old woman, had left the dog and the puppies alone with the four children. It's not known why there were no other adults in the house.

The 10-year-old girl was attacked early Saturday morning and was rushed from the west-end home to the Hospital for Sick Children for surgery.

The dog's owner has been charged with obstructing police and not exercising reasonable precautions to prevent biting or attacking.

Police said the girl sustained injuries to her lip are and will need additional surgery.

The girl's family has asked that their daughter's condition not be released and police have not released the child's name.

The Toronto Star said she is from Hamilton but police would not confirm that.

The pit bull is in quarantine.

Under Ontario's ban on pit bulls, which goes into effect in August, owners of existing pit bulls will be required to have them spayed or neutered, leashed and muzzled while in public.

Owners must also comply with any additional requirements set by municipalities.

Ontario is the first province in Canada to pass a ban on the breed.

Two Ontario cities, Kitchener-Waterloo and Windsor, already have municipal bans on pit bulls.