Thursday, December 1, 1988

Florida: Little girl, 6, attacked in the face by pit bull while watching TV

FLORIDA -- A 6-year-old girl who was watching television and eating potato chips in a neighbor's apartment was bitten on the face by a pit bull dog on Wednesday afternoon, the Broward Sheriff`s Office said.

Shannon Hunter, of the 3100 block of Northeast Seventh Avenue, north of Pompano Beach, underwent surgery at North Broward Medical Center and was in fair condition Wednesday night, police and hospital officials said.

The 1-year-old dog, Spuds, attacked without warning and may have been going after the potato chips, Sheriff's Office spokesman Al Gordon said.

Broward County paramedics treated the wound on the right side of Hunter's face and the girl's mother took her to the hospital, Gordon said.

The dog's owner, Nina Owen, of the 3000 block of Northeast Seventh Avenue, was issued citations for not having a dog license and not having proof it was vaccinated for rabies, Gordon said.

Spuds was turned over to the county's Animal Control Division and will be impounded for 10 days to determine whether it has rabies, Gordon said.

Owen told officials she did not want the dog back, Gordon said.

Norman Lane, Owen`s neighbor, described Spuds as a friendly dog.

Lane said he knew of no complaints about Spuds besides a call to police when the animal had gotten loose.

(Sun Sentinel - December 1, 1988)