WEDNESDAY, NOV. 19, 2014 – A dog impounded after an attack at a French Valley park was returned to its owners today after investigations by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department indicated that the impounded dog was not responsible for the mauling.
Animal Services continues to seek the public's help, asking that anyone with information about, or who witnessed the attack, contact authorities. Officers and license inspectors continue to patrol the unincorporated neighborhood northeast of Temecula where last Friday's (Nov. 14) attack was reported. A 22-month-old boy suffered major trauma to his face after a stray dog reportedly came out of nowhere and attacked him sometime at about 4 p.m.
The toddler was with his mother and a friend of the mother's at Primrose Park in French Valley. The dog that attacked the boy was initially described as a large dog, possibly a Rottweiler.
A Sheriff's investigator has assisted Animal Services with several follow-up interviews. The investigator spoke with the victim's family and the friend who positively identified a Labrador mix as the dog involved in last Friday afternoon's severe attack on a 22-month-old boy. The grandfather of the victim had led authorities to the Lab's owner's property on Saturday. It was at that home, which is near Primrose Park, where the mother's friend ID'd Dexter, a 6-year-old, neutered Lab mix. Moments after that identification, an animal control officer impounded Dexter.
But after a follow-up interview with the eyewitness, the sheriff's investigator said the woman could not say with certainty that Dexter was, indeed, the dog. Based on that revelation, plus further sheriff's investigation and Riverside County Animal Services' assessment of Dexter's behavior, Dexter was released.
"We still need the public's help," Animal Services Director Robert Miller said. "A large dog caused severe injuries to this little boy and someone might have valuable information to share. It's important that we receive that information as soon as possible. We do not want anyone else to be injured if this dog is still in that community."
Anyone with information can call 951-358-7387 or send a tip to [email protected]
"We cannot thank the Riverside County Sheriff's Department enough for the valuable help," Miller said. He also said Dexter's owners should be applauded for their cooperation. "Anytime your dog is being taken away, it's very stressful," Miller said. "Dexter's owners, however, completely understood our role and handled this incident with grace."
Dexter's owners said that they would like to remain anonymous and were not interested in speaking with reporters. The couple were saddened about the boy's injuries and hoped he will make a fast recovery.
