A child was airlifted to a Pensacola hospital in serious condition, and an adult was hospitalized after what the Valparaiso Police Department described as an unprovoked dog attack Friday afternoon on Michigan Avenue. Officers arrived to find a neighbor restraining the dog while emergency crews treated the victims.
The attack happened around 1:50 p.m. on July 3 on Michigan Avenue in Valparaiso. Responding officers found two victims suffering from dog bites: a juvenile with severe injuries, who was airlifted to Pensacola for treatment, and an adult who was transported by ambulance to a local hospital.
That neighbor, Derek Sanchez, told Mid Bay News a young girl ran to his home crying for help.
“I didn’t understand the full concept of the emergency until I stepped out and witnessed probably the most horrific scene I’ve ever seen,” Sanchez said.
Sanchez said he found what he described as a pit bull attacking a young girl and her mother. He said he was able to drive the dog away briefly before it returned and attacked again.
Sanchez said he retrieved a firearm but decided not to use it because the dog was too close to the victims.
“I was eventually going to shoot the dog, but I couldn’t because he was latched onto the little girl,” Sanchez said.
Instead, Sanchez said he tackled the dog and held it down until officers arrived.
“I just held it until the police came,” he said. “They probably came about two to five minutes later.”
According to the Valparaiso Police Department, the dog was not a stray. Police said the adult victim was watching the dog for a friend when the attack occurred. Investigators described the attack as unprovoked and said there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Lt. Craig Toney told Mid Bay News he has spoken with the child’s father and has been told she is expected to make a full recovery.
“She had some pretty nasty wounds, but thankfully, from what I’ve been told after speaking to her father, she should make a full recovery,” Toney said.
Sanchez praised the response by the Valparaiso Police Department, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel.
“It was just the most horrific thing I’ve ever seen,” Sanchez said.
Police said the dog was released to its owner after agreeing to a 10-day quarantine that is required by Florida law following a bite incident. Police also confirmed the health department was notified about the incident. According to Toney, the owner indicated an intention to have the dog euthanized, but police have not confirmed that euthanasia has occurred.
The Valparaiso Police Department’s investigation remains ongoing. This story will be updated as new information becomes available.
