Three mixed-breed dogs mauled a 31-year-old woman and a 12-year-old girl in Hillsdale County on Friday, July 10, and had to be hospitalized, the Michigan State Police announced on Monday, June 13.
Both victims suffered severe lacerations during the attack, but were conscious and alert when troopers arrived, the MSP said on X. The girl was airlifted Henry Ford Hospital before being transferred by helicopter to C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor for additional treatment. She is expected to recover.
The 31-year-old woman was transported by Reading Emergency Medical Unit to Henry Ford Hospital for treatment and is also expected to recover.
The three mixed-breed pitbull and mastiff dogs were returned to the custody of their owner, a 44-year-old woman, pending the outcome of the investigation, police said.
Troopers from the Jackson MSP Post were dispatched to the 1400 block of Mosherville Road in Scipio Township, north of Jonesville, around 9 p.m. Friday, July 10, after a reported dog attack.
Police said a girl was riding scooters with her 13-year-old friend and saw the dogs in the owner’s front yard. According to the 12-year-old victim, the dogs suddenly ran toward her. She jumped off her scooter and the dogs knocked her down and began attacking her.
Her 13-year-old friend ran to get help and was not injured, police said.
The woman heard the girls screaming and ran to help, but the dogs attacked her as she tried to remove them.
The dogs’ owner also intervened and pulled the dogs away from the woman and remained with the victims. The 12-year-old was picked up by her mother and taken home to await emergency medical services.
“Upon completion, the case will be submitted to the Hillsdale County Prosecutor’s Office for review of possible criminal charges against the owner,” a news release from MSP’s First District read. “A determination regarding the disposition of the dogs will also be made as part of the investigation.”
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 2 hospitalized after 3 dogs attack girl, woman in Hillsdale County
Reporting by Jalen Williams, USA TODAY NETWORK / Detroit Free Press
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By Jalen Williams, USA TODAY NETWORK | USA TODAY Network
