Dennis RomeroA Staffordshire terrier left in the care of a dog walker bit a 4-year-old girl, and now that dog walker is on the hook for allegations of child endangerment.
Only in L.A? It actually happened in Santa Monica last month, according to police in the beachside city. The “pet care professional,” identified as Rebecca McGroerty, was charged by the Santa Monica City Attorney's office with suspicion of child endangerment, cops said this week:
The attack was reported Oct. 19 in the 2300 block of 23rd Street, Santa Monica Police said in a statement.
McGroerty was instructed by the owner to keep the 10-year-old canine “muzzled and on a leash while it was outside of the house,” cops said:
The owner also told Ms. McGroerty that the dog was afraid of and aggressive toward small children. Ms. McGroerty's employer gave her instructions that she was not to have anyone other than employees or residents entering the house where the dog was residing. When the attack occurred, it occurred inside of the owner's house, with the 4-year old present, who was not a resident. The dog was not muzzled and off-leash at the time of the attack.
Oops. Allegedly.
The kid was bitten on her leg and required hospitalization and stitches, police said. The dog underwent a 10-day quarantine before being returned to the owner.
The pooch is now under mandatory “muzzle restrictions” police said.
McGroerty was due in court for arraignment Nov. 26. Bad news for her resume? (Yes, even worse for that child's leg.) We'll see what the judge says.
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