Disturbance at park results in Dog Bite investigation

By Jonni Joyce

Martin Police Department responded to a report of a disturbance at the Martin City Park on June 4. The investigation revealed that a young child had been bitten in the face by a dog.According to acting Police Chief Douglas Lucero, the child was attending a birthday party where a pinata had released candy on to the ground. When the young child reached down to pick up the candy, the child was bit in the face.

The child was taken to the Bennett County Hospital for treatment.

The investigation revealed that the dog was not licensed as required by city ordinance. The owner has not provided proof of a rabies vaccination to local law enforcement at the time of this report.

According to Lucero, the dog’s owner could face charges and the matter is under investigation. 

Martin City Ordinances require that dog owners license their pet with the city. The ordinance reads as follows:

2-3-2 LICENSE AND REGISTRATION REQUIRED – FEES – EXCEPTIONS

All dogs and cats kept, harbored or maintained by their owners in the City of Martin shall be licensed and registered if over six months of age. Dog and cat licenses shall be issued by the City Office Clerk upon proof of current rabies vaccination and payment of a license fee. The license fee for each dog or cat shall be set by resolution of the City Council, with an additional charge for each dog or cat over one in the household. The owner shall state at the time application is made for license and upon printed forms provided for such purpose his or her name and address, and the name, breed, color, and sex of each dog or cat owned or kept by him The provisions of this Section shall not be intended to apply to dogs or cats whose owners are nonresidents temporarily (three months per year or less) within the City; to dogs or cats brought into the City for the purpose of participating in any dog or cat show; or to seeing eye dogs properly trained to assist blind persons for the purpose of aiding them in going from place to place.

The extent of the child’s injuries and whether or not the child faces further medical treatment is not known at this time.

The owner of the dog reported to Martin Police that they had destroyed the dog.

According to Lucero, this incident has resulted in increased patrols in the park area and will result in increased enforcement of ordinances related to licensing of dogs as well as dogs running at large.

“Owners will be cited,” said Lucero.