One-year-old girl was one of four people injured by a dog in Pico Rivera, authorities say.
Around 10:15 p.m. Sunday at a residence in the 9600 block of Homebrook Street, which is near the intersection of Washington and Rosemead Boulevards. Several people were hurt in a pit bull attack, and members of the family told FOX 11’s Mario Ramirez that it happened very quickly.
All four people who were hurt were taken to the hospital and given stitches. The toddler, named Ruby Ann Cervantes, was taken to the trauma center at LAC + USC Medical Center, where she was in a lot of pain. Afterward, she’ll have a second operation because she has a fractured hip. She’ll be moved to the ICU after that. She has wounds on her shoulder, legs, and ankles.
Jamie Morales, the girl’s mother, came back to the house after she was released from the hospital. She said she ended up fighting off the dogs to safeguard her daughter.
“I stabbed him to get him off of my daughter. It was either him or my daughter and I chose my daughter. I did what I had to do because he wouldn’t let go,” Morales, who was bit in the face and arm while trying to protect her daughter, said. “I feel really bad but I had to. I’m pretty sure anyone would have done it.”
Morales said that her sister and mom were also hurt when they attempted to stop the dogs from attacking the child.
A family member said the blue nose pit bulls had been in the house for about four months and had never been aggressive. The dogs were normally kept in the backyard, but were inside during the attack.
Southeast Area Animal Control Authority officers removed the dogs. One of the pit bulls was seen being carried out of the house in a plastic bag after being stabbed.
