Highland man shoots, kills rescue dog that mauled daughter

A Highland Township man Sunday shot and killed one of two dogs suspected of mauling his 7-year-old daughter last week.

The dog, one of two suspected in the attack, escaped from the owner’s property after the incident occurred Thursday, Nov. 30. The second dog was taken into custody by Oakland County Animal Control, along with two other family dogs that were not involved in the incident.

“The Highland deputies on every shift were looking for it,” said Lt. Matt Snyder, commander of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Highland substation. “We didn’t know the history of the dog. We wanted to make sure the community was safe.”

Animal Control also stationed live traps around the family’s home, hoping to catch the escapee. Snyder said the dog came back to the home Sunday and that the owner saw it wandering around the property.

“He put it down with a firearm,” Snyder said. “The family has gone through a lot and we are trying to be sensitive to what they are going through. They have a little girl that could have easily been killed.”

According to deputies, the girl opened the gate to the pen and the two dogs attacked her. The girl’s mother, who intervened, also was bitten. Snyder said the girl, who is hospitalized at the University of Michigan’s Mott Children’s Hospital, is “doing much better” and should be released soon.

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In a news release last week, the sheriff’s office said the family rescued dogs and owned approximately seven. The report said the two dogs involved in the attack came from an out-of-state humane society.

Ron Shankin, Oakland County Animal Control supervisor, last week said the dog in custody was examined by a veterinarian and showed some physical signs that it could be a wolf hybrid. He stressed a DNA test would be required to confirm the dog’s breed.

“Our department is working with animal control … we’re trying to get the whole picture, an idea of what was going on. Animal control is taking the lead on this and we’re assisting in any way we can,” Snyder said, adding that the family is cooperating with the ongoing investigation. “We’re trying to find out where they got the dog and how they got the dog.”

Snyder said two “beagle-type” dogs remain with the family.

He suggested that potential pet owners research their municipality's animal ordinance before bringing pets home.

“In Highland Township, you’re not allowed to have more than two dogs,” he said. “You want to make sure people are in compliance. It’s for the betterment of the community.”

sdargay@hometownlife.com