An alarming dog attack in Hicksville, Long Island, resulted in injuries to three individuals, including an 11-year-old girl. The incident occurred on Lantern Road just before 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, prompting immediate medical response and investigation by local authorities.
Key Takeaways
- Incident Location: Lantern Road, Hicksville, Long Island.
- Victims: An 11-year-old girl, her 47-year-old mother, and a 74-year-old family friend.
- Injuries: The girl suffered facial injuries; the adults sustained leg injuries.
- Response: Victims were transported to local hospitals; the girl was airlifted to Cohen Children's Medical Center.
- Dogs Involved: Two dogs were removed from the home by animal control.
The attack unfolded when the mother and daughter returned home and entered through the backyard gate, inadvertently startling the two dogs belonging to the homeowner, a family friend. Witnesses reported hearing screams and rushed to assist the victims, who emerged from the house with visible injuries.
According to police reports, the young girl was bitten on the face, resulting in a puncture wound to her lip. She was airlifted to Cohen Children's Medical Center, where she is currently in stable condition. The mother and the homeowner, both of whom were bitten on the legs, were also taken to nearby hospitals for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
Eyewitness Accounts
Neighbors described the chaotic scene as they rushed to help. One neighbor recounted, "They were holding the kid. The kid was bleeding. The face was, her jaw was all chewed up, teeth, her fingers, her leg, and then the mother was all chewed up, too." This highlights the severity of the injuries sustained during the attack.
Animal Control Response
In the aftermath of the incident, animal control officials from the Town of Oyster Bay arrived to secure the dogs involved. The dogs were carefully removed from the property using protective gear and long poles, indicating the potential danger they posed. They will be held for evaluation to determine the next steps regarding their future.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities are conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack. The police have not released further details, but they are working to understand the events that led to this unfortunate incident. The community is left shaken, with many residents expressing surprise that there were dogs in the home, as some had lived in the area for years without knowing.
As the victims recover, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of dog behavior, especially in situations where they may feel threatened or startled. Local officials are urging pet owners to ensure their animals are properly secured to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Sources
- 3 injured, including child, in dog attack in Hicksville, ABC7 New York.
- Police: 2 adults, 1 child injured in Hicksville dog attack, News 12 - Long Island.
- Access to this page has been denied, PIX11.
- Hicksville dog attack: Child airlifted to Long Island hospital – NBC New York, NBC New York.
Child attacked by dog at Long Island home, airlifted to hospital - CBS New York, CBS News.
