Updated 9-2-18 at 8:24 p.m.
CULLMAN – A pit bull mix dog attacked a 3-year-old girl at a home in Fairview Sunday. The girl was transported by an Air Evac Lifeteam helicopter to a hospital in Birmingham, where she underwent surgery.
The toddler's mother, Destiny Waldrop, told The Tribune Sunday night, "She is out of surgery and she is OK. We are still asking for prayers as she recovers."
The Cullman County Sheriff's Office said the girl and a parent were at a friend's house when the attack occurred. The dog allegedly attacked the homeowner and the 3-year-old at approximately 1 p.m.
The CCSO said no arrests were made at the scene, but Cullman County Animal Control (CCAC) is investigating.
The Tribune spoke with the director of CCAC, Tim McKoy, Sunday evening and he stated, "The child, accompanied by a guardian, was attacked by a bulldog mix. The dog was confined in a fenced-in backyard as required by law. The dog is currently in quarantine at a local vet office. No laws were violated in this unfortunate incident.”
The cause of the bite is unknown and McKoy emphasized, “Any dog of any breed will bite.”
CCAC Sgt. Chris Westmoreland added, “The child was with a family friend when the attack occurred. The friend, who was also bitten, received stitches in her upper arm.”
In Alabama, if a dog bites another person, the dog must be quarantined for 10 days or humanely euthanized. In this case, with no laws violated, the owner can choose.
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), “If you were bitten by a cat, dog, or ferret that appeared healthy at the time you were bitten, it can be confined by its owner for 10 days and observed. No anti-rabies prophylaxis is needed. No person in the United States has ever contracted rabies from a dog, cat or ferret held in quarantine for 10 days.”
This is a developing story.
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