A 10-year-old Maple Ridge girl is recovering with upwards of 100 stitches after her neighbour’s dog bit her face.
The owner of the dog — a German shepherd, bull terrier cross — purportedly had the animal euthanized yesterday, said Laurie Chortyk, spokesperson for the B.C. SPCA.
“Apparently the little girl and her friend … asked the female owner if they could pet the dog,” said Chortyk.
“She put it on a leash and brought it around … and unfortunately she put her face right into the dog’s face. Apparently the dog just snapped and lunged.”
The child was rushed to Ridge Meadows Hospital where doctors treated her disfiguring facial injuries. Police were then called to the scene along with the B.C. SPCA.
Chortyk said when someone puts their face close to a dog’s face, the animal may perceive it as a sign of aggression.
“People need to be really careful about other people approaching their animals and to teach kids how to (safely) approach them,” she said.
