Child in Fair Condition After Dog Attack at Southwest Miami-Dade

A 4-year-old girl who underwent emergency surgery Monday after she was attacked by a dog in Southwest Miami-Dade is now in fair condition.

The child was airlifted to the hospital in critical condition after the incident happened on Southwest 161st Street and 154th Court, officials said. The family's pet attacked the young girl inside the home.

David Fernandez, who lives next door, said he heard screaming before he saw the girl with bloody wounds to her face and leg.

"The child was just covered in blood. The mother was just holding her; she didn't want to let her go for anything. The mom was covered in her daughter's blood," Fernandez recalled.

Witnesses said the 4-year-old tried to grab a toy and that's when the dog turned on the little girl.

"She got chewed up pretty bad -- cheek, back of the head, her ear, inner thigh," said Mike Gonzalez, who also lives nearby.

Animal Services did not remove the dog Monday night, but officials said the owner planned to surrender the canine Tuesday. The dog, named Troy, is a male terrier mix.