A Marco Island councilwoman is facing scrutiny after the release of a police report detailing an incident where her two dogs attacked a child and another dog.
According to an incident report, Marco Island police were called to Columbus Way on Saturday in response to a reported dog bite.
When officers arrived, they said they found a 13-year-old child with a bite wound and a 5-month-old Goldendoodle with an injured front left leg.
The report states that the child and their mother were walking the Goldendoodle when two “terrier-type dogs” exited a neighbor’s home, crossed the street, and attacked both the child and the dog.
Police identified the neighbor and owner of the terriers as Marco Island councilwoman T G after she reportedly “barged into the house” while officers were getting a sworn statement from the mother.
According to the report, G said she was the owner of the dogs and wanted to get the report that was being written.
Officers said they approached G and told her she couldn’t just barge into someone’s house and that he would speak to her outside.
The report states that once G was outside with officers, she asked them if they knew who she was and that she was going to call the police chief. Police said at the time, they did not know who she was.
EMS responded to the home for treatment. As they were leaving, the report states that G ran after the ambulance, saying that she wanted to get their report and see if they wrote that it was an actual dog bite. EMS left the scene without making contact with her.
G then turned around and walked down the driveway as officers made their way back into the victim’s home to continue the report.
While the mother was working on the statement, G came back to the house asking to come in.
The report states that G immediately went over to the victim and, without the mother’s permission, grabbed her to examine the wound.
G told police that her dogs never bite anyone and that the marks were “just scratches.” She then reportedly demanded to see the report. Moments later, the homeowners asked her to leave.
While the mother was completing the statement, her husband held the Goldendoodle in his lap to alleviate the pressure on its leg.
There was another knock at the door, and it was G once again, asking to be let in as she wanted to get video of the dog standing and favoring its front left leg.
The mother told G that she was not allowed to come into the house and that she would talk to her outside, which she did.
The mother and her husband completed the statement and said they were going to make a city council complaint against G. Officers asked if they wanted to press charges, which they said they did not want to at that time.
The Goldendoodle was taken to an emergency vet in Naples for treatment.
Officers filed a Collier County Domestic Animal Services form along with a photo of the injury and the animal bite.
Dog bites can cause serious injuries and emotional trauma, leaving victims with medical bills and other expenses. At Ovadia Law Group, we understand the complexities involved in dog bite cases and are dedicated to providing comprehensive legal support. Our experienced attorneys meticulously investigate each case, gathering crucial evidence to build a strong claim. We are committed to holding negligent pet owners accountable and securing the compensation you deserve for your injuries and suffering. If you or a loved one has been affected by a dog bite, call us at 1-800-674-9396 for a free consultation.
Source: nbc-2
