SPRING HILL, Fla. — A 16-month-old child was hospitalized on Monday afternoon after being bitten in the head by a family dog.
According to the Hernando County Sheriff's Office, at approximately 1:55 p.m. the toddler was playing with the dog under the supervision of the child's mother, when she was bitten.
"She was screaming 'help me with my baby' so I put my stuff down, let it all go and ran over to her," said neighbor Maureen O'Brien.
The child suffered traumatic injuries as a result of the dog bite. Physicians say she had multiple puncture wounds and two skull fractures. But the wounds were not life-threatening and she is expected to make a full recovery.
Hernando County deputies and Hernando County Fire Rescue responded to the scene. The child was treated on scene by Fire Rescue, then transported to a local trauma center for advanced care.
HCSO says that the family adopted the dog from Hernando County Animal Services approximately two months ago. According to the owner, the dog has shown no signs of aggression in previous encounters.
The owner went on to advise that the dog did not appear to maliciously attack the child, but rather, appeared to be playing, according to HCSO.
"She was alert the whole time. I couldn't believe it," said O'Brien.
The Department of Children and Families has been contacted.
The dog, reportedly a chocolate Lab, has been quarantined.