Tupelo child attacked by family's dog

www.clarionledger.com
The Associated Press
September 9, 2009

TUPELO — Authorities say a Tupelo family’s pit bull attacked an 18-month-old girl, who required dozens of stitches to her face.

The attack happened Tuesday when the girl wandered outside and tried to pet the animal as it was chained to a post.

Tupelo-Lee Humane Society Investigator Jimmy Shelton said the dog belonged to the family but it had spent the past several months in another home in Saltillo.

He said authorities are trying to find out if “the dog was being abused or being used as a guard dog or a fighting dog.”

The dog was taken by its owner to the Saltillo Small Animal Hospital and euthanized.

The girl was released from North Mississippi Medical Center and is recovering at home.