MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – A 4-year-old girl who was attacked Monday afternoon by her family's dog in southwest Miami-Dade had gone outside to the backyard to retrieve a toy, according to a police report obtained Tuesday by Local 10 News.
According to the report, Amy Alvarez went to the backyard of her home in the area of Southwest 161st Street and Southwest 154th Court and was attacked by her family's male terrier mix, Troy.
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Police said she was bitten on her face, arms and legs.
Neighbors told Local 10 News that they heard screaming from the backyard of the home where the toddler lives and ran to help.
"You saw more blood than you saw anything else. You know what I mean?" David Fernandez said. "Like, you didn't see, like, an actual wound. You saw a puddle here, a puddle there, the dog's face all bloodied up."
Witnesses said part of the girl's cheek appeared to be hanging off.
Police said Amy was airlifted to Kendall Regional Medical Center, where she is listed in stable condition.
Miami-Dade Animal Services also responded to the home.
Miami-Dade Animal Services spokeswoman Lilian Bohorquez said Troy was placed under quarantine in the home, where he is allowed to remain for 10 days while being monitored for irregular behavior, after which the dog must be examined by a veterinarian.
She said the owner volunteered to turn over the dog to the county on Tuesday, but the dog's current location is unclear.
A man who lives at the home told police that Amy often goes outside to play with the dog and said he was unsure what provoked the dog on Monday, the report said.