A 10-year-old girl was attacked by a stray pit bull at a park in Indio on Wednesday, and she sustained puncture wounds and lacerations, a spokesman for the county Department of Animal Services said Friday.
The incident occurred Nov. 6 in Yucca Park at 43605 Yucca St., John Welsh of Animal Services said in a statement.
"The girl was playing in Yucca Park when she noticed a stray dog, a male, intact, 2-year-old blue pit bull," Welsh said. "She went over to pet the dog and the dog leaped up and bit her in the face. She suffered two puncture wounds and two lacerations."
The girl's family took her to an area hospital for immediate care, Welsh said.
Animal Services Sgt. Miguel Hernandez responded and retrieved the dog just after 5 p.m. Nov. 6, Welsh said.
"A family member of the girl had confined the dog, which did not have any identifying collars, nor a microchip," Welsh said.
Anyone who might have information about the dog was urged to contact Animal Services at shelterinfo@rcdas.org or (951) 358-7387.
The dog was being kept at the Coachella Valley Animal Campus in a quarantine area, Welsh said in his statement Friday.
An update on the injured girl's condition was not available Friday evening.
Animal Services Commander Rita Gutierrez advised against approaching a stray dog:
"If you are not familiar with a dog, do not try to go up and pet it," Gutierrez said. "The dog may be aggressive or it is nervous because it is not in its normal surroundings. A stray dog can be very unpredictable. The best thing to do is remove yourself calmly from any possible danger. And, of course, if the dog is acting aggressive, please call our department, or your local law enforcement, right away."
For more info about the Riverside County Department of Animal Services visit www.rcdas.org.
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