Dog bites girl

By Natasha Kaye Johnson
Diné Bureau

TWIN LAKES — An 8-year-old Twin Lakes girl was attacked Sunday evening by a pit bull dog.

Tohatchi EMTs responded to the emergency call and took the girl to Gallup Indian Medical Center. GIMC officials said the girl was treated and released.

Officer Jimmy Yazzie with the Navajo Nation Public Safety Department responded to several phone calls regarding a hostile pit bull near the Watson Road area, just before Mile Marker 12.

Residents reported the pit bull was usually tied up, but the owner and his wife released it, and sat on their porch watching as it barked at people walking and bicycling by. Nearby residents also suspect the owner was under the influence of drugs or alcohol though it was not confirmed by the police. The dog's owner resides at Dean Watson's residence though police stated that the dog may not belong to him.

Sgt. Melinda James with the Crownpoint Police Department said animal control was contacted, and will be picking up the dog today. While it is common to have dogs euthanized after such incidences, James said that the final decision is made by animal control.

"Everything has to go through their (animal control's) office," said James.

James said there are currently no charges against the dog owner by the victim.

"If they want to press charges, the victim has to come back in and do that," she said.

James said they tend to see an increase in the number of dog bites during the summer when students are out of school.