Pit Bull Hospitalizes 4-Year Old Girl in Milwaukee Area

4-Year Old Released from Hospital After Pit Bull Attack
04/07/08: Neishaly Maldonado, 4, was released from the hospital after spending more than a week at Children's Hospital due to the dog attack. The owner was fined almost $300, but the girl's father says the dog has attacked before and he worries the dog may go after someone else.

"To my knowledge, this has happened twice before, and I want some answers actually as to why the dog is in the owner's custody yet,” Chris Maldonado said.

The family set up a fund to help with mounting medical bills. Donations can be made in Neishaly Maldonado's name at any National City Bank branch.

04/01/08: Pit Bull Still at Home with Owner
Milwaukee, WI - Chris Maldonado sits beside his 4-year-old daughter in Children's Hospital. He waits for her to heal and he waits for answers about the March 22nd pit bull attack that left his daughter sick. His daughter was making a snowman and the dog came from behind and bit her. There are three puncture wounds on Neishaly's face, each are now infected.

"[Doctors] were talking about doing a rabies shot," Maldonado said. "They don't want to do that until they test the dog and it's been a hassle trying to get that animal in here."

This father is upset that the dog is still at the house where the attack happened in the 1600 block of S. 29th Street. Neishaly's mother lives in half of that duplex. The pit bull lives in the other unit. Maldonado said his daughter was visiting her mother and was playing outside when the pit bull mauled her.

The owner, Jeff Wilkins, says he feels "bad" about what happened to the girl. He claims started muzzling Congo after the incident. He admitted Congo attacked someone else in the past. Wilkins said the dog "actually" belongs to his brother, not he. Congo has been vaccinated for Rabies and a DHS inspector reported no visual symptoms of the virus after the attack. DHS fined the Wilkins $293 and may impose more penalties based on the outcome of their investigation.

In other news

Texas Woman Injured in Pit Bull Attack
Lacey-Lakeview, TX - A pit bull is in quarantine after police say it attacked a woman Sunday afternoon. It happened around 4:15 p.m. in the 100 block of Old Fort Graham Road. Police say the unrestrained dog bit a 51-year old woman who was walking down the street. At the time the woman refused medical treatment*, but did seek medical treatment Monday. They say officers along with animal control are investigation the attack.

Always seek medical treatment after a dog bite -- dog bites are infections if left improperly treated. As both stories illustrate, children and seniors are at most risk for infection.

Labels: Wisconsin