On Saturday at the annual Springfield Police C3 Forest Park Christmas Party, Mango, a Springfield Police crisis intervention dog, bit a toddler on the shoulder and, according to a family member, was still trying to go after the girl after she was picked up by her grandmother.

Mango, a German Shepherd, was trained to be a K9 officer but was, “too mellow and too nice," to be a police dog according to a statement by the Springfield police in September. “So he will be hanging around the department to provide some comfort to our officers after they deal with difficult situations. We will also bring him to community events. He is a great lovable good boy.”

But the Springfield Police account differs from what the family of the girl say happened. According to Springfield Police, Scarlett Garcia, who weighs 23 pounds, accidentally stood on the dog’s tail. According to a statement by Springfield Police spokesperson Ryan Walsh, based on witness accounts, Mango reacted by scratching the child.

But according to mother Katrina Martin and grandmother Zoraida Bocachica, Scarlett was standing to the side of Mango and wasn’t anywhere near the tail.

“I was right there,” said Bocachica. “I grabbed my granddaughter and the dog was still trying to get her.”

After spending four hours at Mercy Medical Center, the family says the doctor treating the girl said the injury was caused by a bite.

She posted photos showing a deep cut in the girl’s left shoulder.

Editor’s note: The photos linked to above are graphic and may be upsetting to some.

“I don’t blame the dog, I blame the owner,” said Martin. “You should know if your dog is stressed.”

The independent investigation is being performed by Hampden County Sheriff’s Department, “to get all the facts and make sure we know exactly what happened.”

The family so far has not had any contact from the Springfield Police Department.

“I was hoping they would at least call the house and ask after Scarlett,” Bocachica said.