DOG BITE: Big Dogs Attack Fontana Family, Child in Critical Condition

February 2, 2010

Fontana-- A 5-year-old girl remains to be in critical condition after her mother and older siblings were attacked by five large dogs near Arrow Boulevard Monday afternoon, authorities said.

The unidentified mother was walking four of her children at around 5pm along a path near Citrus Avenue when they came across and were attacked by escaped dogs from a nearby backyard.

Teenagers in the area tried to help the family under attack by throwing stones against the dogs. The owner of the dogs expressed regret over the incident after being contacted by authorities.

The dogs, a pitbull terrier, mastiff, and three others attacked the family and pulled the youngest, the 5-year-old girl, away from her mother. She was said to have been shaken violently and sustained serious bite injuries, broken bones, and possible internal injuries. The attack also punctured her lungs and she breathes through a ventilator.

The other two children sustained bite wounds in their limbs while the eldest child, an 8-year-old boy, is the only one unhurt.

Authorities chased and caught the dogs. The pitbull terrier was shot while the other four were impounded at the San Bernardino County Animal Shelter.