The owner of a Rottweiler that attacked a four-year-old girl this Tuesday morning, has been interviewed and is to attend court in Matosinhos tomorrow to face charges of negligence and fleeing the scene of the attack.
The dog was off the lead and without a muzzle when it attacked the girl, leaving her with severe injuries to her head and face.
In addition to attacking the child, the dog injured two other people including the girl’s mother.
The Rottweiler had a 'chip' and was street legal, but at the time of the attack had no muzzle and, as it is classified as a dangerous breed, the owner faces a string of charges.
The attack happened in Leça do Balio, Matosinhos, and the girl was first rushed to the Pedro Hispano Hospital in "a very serious condition" and later to the Hospital S. João in Oporto where she is in intensive care but out of danger. She awaits reconstructive surgery.
She was "practically disfigured," according to the police at the scene who said the dog had been on a public road without a leash or muzzle, accompanied by its owner who, after the attack, fled the scene with the animal.
Moments before the attack, according to Correio da Manhã, the girl's family clashed with the owner of the dog as they considered it dangerous to let it off the lead without a muzzle.
The owner may be found guilty of negligence, for not having the animal properly muzzled and with leash, for being aggressive to the child’s father and for fleeing the scene of the attack.
