Tim Ryan, tryan@wolfrivermedia.com
An 11-year-old girl protecting her 2-year-old brother suffered several bites from an attacking pit bull in Bowler on Saturday, according to the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department.
“Her bravery may have saved her brother’s life,” Sheriff Adam Bieber said.
Dispatchers received a 911 call of a dog attacking an 11-year-old child in the village shortly before 1 p.m.
Stockbridge-Munsee police were dispatched because they were closer to the incident than sheriff’s deputies at the time, Bieber said.
In the meantime, witnesses were able to get the pit bull off the girl using a baseball bat.
According to witnesses, the girl was walking down the street with her brother when the dog attacked and she put herself between her brother and the dog to protect him.
The dog bit the girl and then headed for the girl’s brother, but she yelled to divert the dog’s attention.
The girl was bitten about four times, Bieber said, and she was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. It was not known how severe her injuries were.
The dog was already on quarantine for killing another dog earlier in the week, according to Bieber. The dog has since been euthanized by the owner.
Bieber said the incident was a reminder to animal owners to make sure their pets are secured.
“Please make sure your dog is always on a leash, or contained within a fenced-in area or home,” he said.