Five-year-old girl suffers serious injuries after being mauled by dog

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A 5-year-old girl was hospitalized Tuesday morning after being mauled by a dog in Independence, Missouri, the Independence Fire Department (IFD) said.

According to IFD and the Independence Police Department (IPD) at about 10:10 a.m., crews and officers were dispatched to a home in the area of East R.D. Mize Road and Gateway Drive on reports of a child being attacked by a dog.

Upon arrival, Independence officers found a 5-year-old girl and an adult outside of the home.

Initial reports from IFD said the victim was 3 years old, however, FOX4 received information from police Tuesday afternoon confirming the child was 5.

IPD said the girl had severe “lacerations” from the bite, which were reported to be on her neck.

Medics responded to the scene, and the girl was taken to Children’s Mercy Hospital for her injuries.

According to IPD, preliminary investigations indicated that the dog had been unrestrained at the time of the incident and entered the backyard where the little girl and the adult had been.

The dog is currently in custody with Animal Control, according to IFD and IPD.

The case is being investigated by IPD, as well as personnel from Health and Animal Services.

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