A teenage girl remained hospitalized Thursday after suffering multiple bite wounds in a dog attack in northwest Miami-Dade, while the pit bull’s owner voluntarily surrendered the animal to Miami-Dade Animal Services.
The girl underwent surgery at Jackson Memorial Hospital and was recovering, according to a relative who spoke with CBS News Miami. Her identity has not been released.
“She sustained multiple bites, so there’s a lot of injuries,” the relative said. “She did have surgery, but she’s recovering well right now.”
Dog Attack Reported on Northwest 66th Street
Police said the attack happened Wednesday at an efficiency behind a house on Northwest 66th Street in northwest Miami-Dade.
Neighbors called 911 for help. When a responding deputy arrived, the deputy attempted to use a Taser on the dog, but the animal ran away.
The 5-year-old pit bull, named Diablo, remained missing Thursday morning. A woman close to the owner later returned the dog, and Miami-Dade Animal Services took custody of him before 5 p.m. Thursday.
Authorities have not publicly detailed the circumstances that led to the attack.
Owner Says Surrendering the Dog Was Her Decision
The dog’s owner said she was heartbroken about the situation but believed surrendering Diablo was the right decision. She asked that her face not be shown during the interview.
The owner emphasized that she was choosing to surrender the dog voluntarily rather than being forced to give him up.
“This is my choice to surrender the dog because it happened once; I feel like it may happen again, so why take the risk,” she said.
Although she expressed concern that another incident could occur, the owner said she did not consider Diablo dangerous and described the attack as something that happened in the moment.
The events immediately preceding the attack remain unclear, and the available information does not establish what prompted the dog to bite the girl.
Pit Bull Faces Possible Euthanasia
According to Miami-Dade Animal Services, Diablo faces euthanasia after being taken into custody.
The case comes as authorities continue to address the aftermath of the attack. The girl remained hospitalized Thursday evening, according to police and a relative.
Her condition was described as improving following surgery, although further details about her injuries and recovery have not been released.
The dog’s surrender and potential euthanasia remain central developments in the case. Additional information about the circumstances of the attack has not been made public.
This article is based on reporting from CBS News Miami. Details may be updated as authorities release additional information.
