Hurricane girl hospitalized after pit bull attack

HURRICANE — A young girl remained hospitalized Tuesday after a neighbor's pit bull attacked her Monday evening.

The girl, about 5 years old, suffered wounds to her head and face, said Hurricane police spokeswoman Nancy Perkins.

The child apparently wandered into the yard where the dog was restrained by a chain. The dog's owner told police the child was throwing rocks at the dog, which is 2 or 3 years old and not neutered, Perkins said.

After the dog attacked, its owner tried to restrain the dog while another neighbor called police after hearing the girl's screams, she said.

A Hurricane animal control officer responded and impounded the dog and it remained quarantined Tuesday, pending an investigation.

"The dog's owner was doing everything possible to stop the dog," said animal control officer Linda Melin.

"The owners are being absolutely cooperative with me in this investigation."

Melin said the dog has often played with children with no problems.

— Josh Smith