Second Dog Attack in Brooklyn Park Highlights Pit Bull Dangers

For the second time in less than a week, a dog attacked a child in Brooklyn Park.

Last Friday, a brutal dog attack left a three-year-old in critical condition.

Now, on the afternoon of Tuesday, July 23, a seven-year-old girl was attacked by a dog.

According to Brooklyn Park Police Inspector Elliot Faust, the attack occurred in the 7500 block of Janell Avenue North.

Faust said the dog — an adult pit bull — belonged to someone in the neighborhood, but got loose and became aggressive. 

First, the dog attacked the seven-year-old girl, leaving “superficial” injuries that were later treated at the scene, Faust said.

A large contingent of police officers responded to the scene, trying to capture the dog.

“It was just very difficult to contain,” Faust said.

It then attempted to attack a young boy.

A dog attacked a seven-year-old near Janell and 75th avenues in Brooklyn Park.

“One of our newer cadets actually sprinted after, got the child to stop, lifted the child up, held the child at shoulder height while the dog is jumping up and trying to bite this child,” Faust said. “And that’s when one of our officers did shoot the dog.”

According to Faust, pit bull attacks can be particularly dangerous.

“The fact of the matter is that that breed is more common to become aggressive,” Faust said. “It’s just a national statistic. And, unfortunately, when they become aggressive, the damage is unlike any other dog, because of the jaw strength … they are one of the most common breeds to cause significant injury.”

The attack last week also involved pit bulls.

Incidents related to stray and loose dogs are on the rise, according to Faust. 

“People really need to spend some time thinking about what it is to be an animal owner,” he said. “We’re seeing more and more times, more and more instances, where the animals are getting out or owners abandon them.”

Brooklyn Park