Watch CBS News

5-Year-Old Girl Mauled By Dogs Faces Extended Recovery

WALDOLF, Md. (WJZ) — A 5-year-old girl is recovering after being mauled by three dogs.

The attack happened in Waldorf, Charles County earlier this week.

Christie Ileto has the latest on the child's long road to recovery.

Charles County deputies believe the little girl was violently attacked by more than one dog, and now her family says she's facing an extended recovery.

Deputies say 5-year-old Savanna was at home with her mother's boyfriend when he found her facedown in the backyard.

"We're not sure if they were already out when the girl went back there or if she let them out herself," said Diane Richardson, Charles County Sheriff Department.

She was so badly attacked that she was found completely naked with deep bite marks on her face, neck and body.

Authorities say two Presa Canarios and an English bulldog were being kept in a kennel.

Police say two of the three dogs found near the girl's body were euthanized shortly after the attack.

"I think he was breeding his own," a neighbor said.

Next door neighbors say the home at one time had as many as a dozen dogs but dwindled down to three.

Savanna's family says in a statement, "The dogs are not owned by the family" and are thanking the community for their thoughts and prayers as their daughter has an extended recovery.

Savanna remains at Children's National Medical Center.

Detectives are still investigating how long the girl had been out back before she was discovered.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.