Police: Pit Bull Bites Child in Severna Park

A 9-year-old Severna Park child was bitten by a pit bull Tuesday evening in the 100 block of Bateman Court, according to police.

The boy's mother reportedly said her son was walking in the area and cut through a property when he was bitten on his upper and lower body by a dog on the owner's property.

The yard has an electric fence around the entire perimeter and the dog had an electric collar. The incident took place behind the fence, according to police.   

The boy ran home and was then transported to Baltimore Washington Medical Center in Glen Burnie with serious but not life-threatening injuries, according to police. Anne Arundel County Animal Control has custody of the dog and is investigating the incident. 

Animal Control will be working to determine what, if any, restrictions may be needed to prevent future incidents, keeping public safety in mind.

There was a previous incident reported on the dog's property in 2008, and again in September 2011, when an adult male suffered minor injuries, according to Justin Mulcahy, county police spokesman. After that incident, a warning was issued with recommendations to the dog owner.   

As a reminder, dog owners need to be responsible and cognizant that some individuals may come onto their property or those who are required to from time to time, like postal workers and first responders, Mulcahy said.

Residents should also be aware of their surroundings and should never approach an unfamiliar animal, he said.

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