Stray Dog Attacks Cathedral City Girl

A 3-year-old Cathedral City girl is recovering in a hospital from a Tuesday night dog bite on her face, said friends of the family.

The wound required 150 stiches, said Lt. Chuck Robinson, of the Cathedral City Police Department.

The Cathedral City Police and Fire Departments responded to the call just after 6:15 p.m. on the 33000 block of Rancho Vista Drive.

“There was like a little missing piece in her cheek, and there was like a gash here,” said Lauren Flores, a friend of the victim.

The Cathedral City Fire Department said the 3-year-old girl was taken to Desert Regional Medical Center for treatment, but friends of the family said her injuries are non-life-threatening.

“She got butterfly stitches,” said Jewlz Diaz, the victim’s uncle.

Flores lives with the family and said the girl was outside her home, tagging along with Flores’ sister while she took out the trash, which is when Flores said a stray dog approached the girl and took a bite out of her face.

“Then, the dad came out, and then he grabbed her, and then everybody was just freaking out, and then an ambulance came and the cops came,” said Flores.

The dog ran away, Flores said, and family members could not provide a description of the animal to authorities. But, the family said stray dogs are a growing problem in the area, and that it was just a matter of time before one got violent.

“Nobody pays attention to their dogs anymore,” said Flores. “They just run around everywhere.”

If there is a problem like this in your neighborhood, please call Riverside County Animal Control at (760) 343-3644. Or, you can send them an e-mail at shelterinfo@rivcocha.org.