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Dog bites 17-year-old girl on the face; no charges filed
by Gregory R. Norfleet · News · April 10, 2014
A 17-year-old girl took a dog bite to the face Thursday afternoon, resulting in minor injuries.
West Branch Fire Department responded to 412 East Main Street after a report of a dog biting the teenager.
Fire Chief Kevin Stoolman said the girl was not seriously hurt.
“She’ll be fine,” he said.
West Branch Police Chief Mike Horihan said the dog did not belong to the girl, but belonged to another family which was living with the girl’s family.
He said the dog got loose and the girl was trying to get it back in the house. When she picked it up, the dog turned and bit her in the face, leaving a puncture would on the girl’s cheek and a cut on her chin.
The girl was taken to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics for treatment, the police chief said.
No charges have been filed; Horihan said the family was able to show that the dog has had its rabies vaccinations. The dog was returned to the home.
The police chief said that a dog bite can often lead to the dog being seized and held until the owners can confirm its rabies vaccines are up to date. If not, the dog may be quarantined for 10 days to see if it becomes rabid. The dog will also be observed to see if it exhibits dangerous behavior.
A dog deemed “dangerous” may mean the family must keep the dog indoors or fenced in with warning signs, Horihan said. Dogs deemed dangerous which bite again may mean the city looks into “disposing of the animal.”
The police also determine if a dog broke free or was let loose intentionally.
Families can be ticketed for not keeping vaccines current, for allowing dogs to roam free and for not wearing tags. A ticket could cost $10, but court costs start at $85.
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