Officials seek destruction of dog that bit 7-year-old in face

County animal control officials have sought a court order to euthanize a dog that bit a 7-year-old girl in the face at a home-based rescue organization in the Romoland community, officials said.

At least five other serious bites involving dogs at or from this private kennel have occurred since 2013, according to a Riverside County Animal Services news release. The kennel is located in the 28000 block of Ellis Avenue.

In the latest incident, which took place May 26, a 2-year-old male Akita lunged at the girl and bit the right side of her face, officials said. The injuries required three hours of surgery and doctors used approximately 1,000 sutures on the wounds.

The incident happened as the girl and her parents were with staff members at the kennel, inquiring about adopting the dog. A representative of the rescue organization testified during a court hearing on Thursday that although she didn't witness the attack, she was informed that the girl put her face to the dog's face and that the parents had been warned against such actions.

The victim's father also testified at the hearing, in which Animal Services Officer Carra Mathewson and her supervisor, Sgt. Lesley Huennekens, sought a destruction order regarding the dog. The hearing officer stated that a decision would be made by Monday.

Mathewson testified that she retrieved the dog on Sunday for a quarantine period. Due to the severity of the attack, she asked the owner of the rescue if she would surrender the dog for euthanasia. The owner declined and said the dog is not aggressive. The dog was transferred from a Los Angeles-area shelter to the Romoland location in early February.

"It is crucial that we protect the public from dogs that may not be suitable for adoptions," Animal Services Director Allan Drusys said. "We respect all of our rescue partners very much. These groups are helping us save lives. But it’s critical that everyone recognize that some breeds may not be a good pet, especially for households with children."

Recent attacks connected to the Romoland rescue included one in November 2017, when a man returned a dog adopted there after he was attacked and bit on both arms. In February 2018, a man was bit in both hands and arms. Animal Services issued dog restraining orders in both cases.