Park goers in Antioch should be on high alert after a kindergartener was attacked by a pack of dogs while playing on a swing this afternoon around 2:20 pm at Chichibu Park in Antioch off Longview Lane.
According to the girl’s mother, Michele Lago, her daughter and a friend were swinging and having a good time when a man with six dogs who were unleashed and without collars got out of a green SUV.
“She wasn’t even calling them. She was just laughing on the swing. The man and dogs were not even headed to the park, but walking to the grassy area to play catch near the bocce ball court. One dog approached and when it barked, the second dog attacked,” said Logo.
The dog charged and bit at her feet and knocked her down. The dog continued to growl and park at her when Lago sprang into action to protect her daughter and a friend. The man was eventually able to call his dogs back before he gathered the dogs and took off.
The dogs were described as four German Shepard’s and the other two may have also been a German Shepard mix or husky mix.
“I told the man to put his dogs in the car or on their leash,” explained Lago. “He put the dogs in his car and said he would be right back and never came back.”
Man estimated in his late 30’s maybe early 40’s with six dogs where he frequents the park without a leash. He looked like a Caucasian male with a brown hair with trimmed facial hair (possible goatee). There was a female with him who went by the name “Charla”.
Due to the parking lot being shielding by the bocce ball courts, neither Lago or a male witness could get a decent look at the vehicle other than it was a green SUV.
A report was filed with Antioch Animal Control and a case made at Sutter. Lago stated the girls Kindergartener at Sutter Elementary School came down to assist and comforted the girl while Lago tried to talk to the witness.
“She was crying and screaming. I was panicked and shaking. I still have no idea what provoked it. It didn’t just bite her and go away, it kept barking and hovering over her,” explained Lago. “I was with two girls. The poor witness was in a gated area and couldn’t help. We were all shaken.”
Lago stated that it could have been worse as the bite was on her leg with a puncture mark and thankful her daughter was not bitten in the face or neck.
“I am going to be terrified by anyone with dogs, this guy had six. This was near a school. The potential with all the kids that walk home is scary. It’s irresponsible,” stated Lago. “ You don’t even come back to check on a six year old who has been bit?”
The girl was taken to the hospital where doctors prescribed antibiotics. The family will have to decide in the next 72-hours where or not to begin rabies treatment or not because of the unknown condition of the dogs in terms of being up to date on shots and vaccinations.
If anyone has information they can call the Antioch Animal Control officer G. Johnson 4486 the case number is 13-4764.
Note:
If you see this man, please either take a picture or contact Antioch Police. If the person reads this and it’s their dogs, please let Animal Control know the condition of your dogs to spare this girl a treatment as they have 72-hours to decide.
Update:
Based off tips provided by the community, Antioch Animal Control found the dogs and took three of the six dogs. Luckily all the dogs are current on vaccinations so no rabies shots
17 comments
This is just another in a long list of why we need to be able to protect ourselves and our families in public.
Demand your Civil Rights.
seriously agree. Its ridiculous!! I think first we should Learn how to be responsible with a gun. Respect it and then earn the responsibility to carry one. To protect our families. I agree. Tired of the useless
Such a ridiculous statement.
Six dogs? Are not even legal to own in Antioch. Someone will know where they live. Please come forward so this girl will not have to undergo the shots. Take theses dogs off our streets.
Hope this man comes forward so the little girl doesn’t have to undergo the shots.
Prayers for the girl and that the man is found and held responsible.
Might this be them? https://www.facebook.com/charla.bettiga/photos?collection_token=1383342872%3A2305272732%3A6 He fits the description and her name is the same as the name in the article
Don’t assume that. The two dogs shown don’t look like German Shepherds.
I would be very careful about those types of accusations.
Well, someone needs to learn about facebook privacy settings.
This coward needs to “man up” and take some responsibility. This poor little girl should not have to take these shots.
My poor grand daughter. The dog needs to be put down and the man needs to be charged for this. He needs to have his dogs taken away from him. Shame on him. I don’t want her to have to go through the painful shots. Please find this man and soon.
that man should be arrested for not having his dog on a leash
They found the owner, dogs are up to date with shots. Three dogs were taken away. The man lied to officers, glad there wasa witness.
I can name several areas where this type of thing happens. I have to be careful what time I walk my dog or owners with several dogs not on leash are out. My grandson and I were literally run up a pole by a bunch of dogs in the park. Fortunately a driver drove up on the lawn and came between us and the dogs. Be aware folks of what is around you. It happens in a second.
Irresponsible dog owners are all over the place. My neighbors have gone through 4 or 5 dogs in the 10 years that they have lived next door to me. After one chased me and knocked me down in my drive way, she disappeared before Animal Control could respond. They then got 2 pit bull puppies. 18 months later, after numerous conversation with them regarding the dogs getting out, and calls to Animal Control, the dogs trapped me in my yard and were slamming into the gate, barking and growling while I was on the phone with AC. The dogs were impounded as vicious and since the owners wouldn’t take the needed steps to get them back, they were put down. Well, 3 months later, they got another pitbull. Six months later, watched her attack and take down the mini donkey. a week later she was gone, I was told by another neighbor she bit the owner while attacking the donkey again and he took her to AC and surrendered her. A week later they had another one. And the cycle continues. They have told me that all the dogs come from rescue groups. Which makes me ask what the hell? Don’t these rescue groups check with Animal Control?
Barbara, it would be appreciated if you would email the local rescue groups and provide them with the name of this family and their address so that the rescue groups will make sure not to let them adopt any dogs in the future.
I can name a few for you: Animal Rescue Recon, H.A.L.O. H.A.R.P., D.A.S.H., K9 Paw Print Rescue, you can find a listing in the latest Oakley Press which had a listing of rescues in our area that will be participating in the Maddie’s Fund Adoption on June 1 & 2nd.
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