Rosedale Girl Recovering From Pit Bull Attack

(UPDATE 2:04 p.m.) A 6-year-old Rosedale girl is recovering after a pit bull attacked her Monday evening, Baltimore County police said.

Kyniya Harris needed 40 stitches in her leg following the attack, which occurred at about 5:40 p.m. along the 2300 block of Bluegrass Heights Court, said Baltimore County Police spokeswoman Detective Cathy Batton.

Batton said Kyniya was playing outside with a group of friends when the pit bull burst out of his home and ran across the street.

“The dog heard a noise and pushed open the screen door and ran outside where the attack occurred,” Batton said.

Loretta Harris, Kyniya’s mother, said her daughter was taken to Franklin Square Hospital Center for treatment before being transferred to Johns Hopkins Hospital. Harris added that the dog bit her daughter twice.

“The dog just charged up and attacked my girl,” Loretta Harris said. “They weren’t doing anything out there but playing.”

Batton said the dog’s owner, identified as Tanya Harris, told police that the animal was licensed and up to date on all its shots.

This provides little solace to the Harris family, who said they haven't  received an apology from the dog’s owner.

“Kyniya’s spirit is great but she is in a lot of pain,” Harris said.

Batton said the dog remains with its owners and no charges have been filed at this time.

Harris said allowing the the owners to keep the dog is unacceptable because the dog had attacked another neighbor, who WJZ TV identified as Lawrence Evans, about two years ago.

Baltimore County Animal Control impounded the dog Friday morning, Health Department spokeswoman Monique Lyle said. In addition, Lyle said the owners have received $700 in violations: $500 (dangerous animal) $100 (dog at large) and $100 (no license).  

This case will be scheduled to be heard at the Animal Hearing Board and the dog will remain with the county until a final decision is made. 

Harris said she views the dog as a danger to the community and wants to see it euthanized. That decision will eventually be determined at an animal hearing board.

“My daughter is lucky,” Harris said. “This dog has a history of being a danger to the community. We can’t live in a neighborhood where children can’t go outside and play because they are worried about being attacked by a . These are aggressive dogs and they need to be controlled.”