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HAZLETON — A dog has been shot and killed after it bit the face of a 15-month-old boy on Saturday, police said.
According to a news release, at 4 p.m. Saturday patrol units responded to a call of a dog bite in the 300 block of West Spruce Street. Based on the facial injuries the toddler sustained, emergency personnel transported him to an area trauma center.
Police said the toddler’s father was watching the dog for an unknown party when the canine bit the child. At some point, police said, the father allegedly shot the dog. The canine later died.
The police are coordinating efforts with the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office and the dog warden in investigating this incident.
Later Saturday, a Hazleton police detective transferred the deceased canine to a West Hazleton veterinarian clinic. The child is recovering from his injuries.
“We are all praying for the recovery of the child at this time,” police Chief Jerry Speziale said in a news release Saturday. “I want to thank the West Hazleton veterinarian clinic for opening their doors to assist us in this very difficult matter.”
As of Saturday evening, no charges have been filed.