The owner of five dogs involved in an attack on a 7-year-old girl in St. Paul is now facing misdemeanor charges, court records show. The incident occurred on Feb. 8 as the girl was leaving her school bus stop on Van Burn Avenue. The dogs, which came from a nearby yard, attacked her while she was walking with her parent. Despite efforts to stop the attack, the dogs continued until a passing driver honked, causing them to flee.
The girl suffered multiple bite injuries to her head and leg but was not in life-threatening condition. Authorities discovered that the owner had no license for the dogs and failed to apply for a permit allowing ownership of more than three dogs. He could only provide rabies vaccine records for two dogs. The five dogs were deemed dangerous and were euthanized by St. Paul Animal Control.
The owner, aged 37, has been charged with misdemeanors, including failing to restrain an animal from causing bodily injury. He is scheduled to appear in court on April 18.