Latest Dog Attacks Spur Talk Of New Laws

INDIANAPOLIS -- For the second time in less than a week, a dog attacked a girl on Wednesday, prompting discussion of new laws aimed at violent animals and their owners.

A large dog attacked Sydni Yates, 11, at Holliday Park at about 11 a.m., in a crowded area of the park where parents and children were enjoying outdoor activities, 6News' Jack Rinehart reported. Yates received puncture wounds from the dog's teeth tearing into her.

"It hurts. I can tell you that," Yates said. "It grabbed me and it just tried to hang on me. I was trying to yell and hit it away, but every time I hit it, it would dig in deeper."

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Video: Latest Dog Attacks Spur Talk Of New Laws

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Just minutes after the attack, Animal Care and Control officers found the dog they described as an American bulldog, loose behind a home about four blocks west of the park.

A neighbor said the dog's owner moved into the neighborhood about two weeks ago.

"He seems to keep them on a leash, but they must have gotten out today, which is why I was concerned about an unpredictable situation," said Sonja Clark.

Officials said they will cite the dog's owner for multiple violations in connection with the attack and for letting the animal roam freely.

City-County Council will begin considering legislation next week that would limit the number of so-called dangerous breed dogs that people can own.

"We can't just attach a label to a dog," said Indianapolis police Lt. Brian Clouse. "We have to go to who trains and who gives those behaviors to those certain breeds that we really need to go after."

Wednesday's attack came less than a week after 2-year-old Amaya Hess was critically injured in a pit bull attack.