Animal Services Seeks Information on Location of Dog That Bit Child

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Animal Services Seeks Information on Location of Dog

Dog bite to child prompts search for the dog

Washington County Animal Services is seeking information from the public on a dog that bit a nine-year-old child on Monday, August 10, around 8:20 p.m. According to a Hillsboro Police report, the child was riding a bike on the sidewalk in the location of NE Cornell Road and 21st Avenue in Hillsboro. When the child passed a pedestrian and his dog, the dog jumped and bit the child's leg.

The man and dog allegedly left the scene, and the child got back on the bike and rode home. From there, the child was transported by ambulance to a medical facility and received emergency care and 15 stitches to the wound.

According to the police report, the victim said that the dog was on a leash and that the man had control of the leash.

"We are seeking help from the public to locate the man and the dog. We need to determine if the dog is current on its rabies shots," says shelter supervisor Jeannette Nachbar. "It's also important that we quarantine the dog for the required 10 days. During that time, our staff will observe the dog for any signs of illness."

If the animal is not found, the girl may have to receive a series of rabies vaccines. "We don't want the girl and her family to go through this. We hope that the owner of the dog, or perhaps someone who knows the dog and the owner, will step forward," says Animal Services Manager Deborah Wood.

The dog is believed to be large with a dark face that resembles a German shepherd. The man is described as very large between the ages of 30 and 40 years old with blond hair and glasses.

Animal Control Officer Renfrow has been conducting a search in the neighborhood in order to locate the man and dog. Also, the victim's mother has been posting flyers in the area.

If anyone knows the whereabouts of the man and dog, contact Washington County Animal Services at (503) 846-7041 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays or stop by the Bonnie L. Hays Small Animal Shelter at 1901 SE 24th Avenue, Hillsboro.

For more information, contact Deborah Wood, Manager of Animal Services, at 503-846-7148 (cell: 503-209-3648) or Lt. Rouches Hillsboro Police Department [email protected].

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