Neighbor with broom chases off dog in attack on 7-year-old girl in Victorville

A 7-year-old girl walking to school was injured Thursday when she was attacked by a dog in a Victorville neighborhood.

Deputies responded at about 7 a.m. to the 13800 block of Mesa Linda Avenue in the San Bernardino County community after a report of a dog who bit two children. One child ran away, but the 7-year-old girl suffered multiple injuries, according to the sheriff’s department.

A neighbor ran outside to help the girl, and the dog ran off, authorities said.

Maria Hernandez said she was getting her daughter ready for school when the girl noticed the attack. Security camera video showed the dog dragging the girl in front of a home.

“I found the first thing that I found, which was my broom,” said Hernandez.

The dog and girl were on the neighbor’s front yard when Hernandez arrived on the scene, wielding her broomstick. The dog appeared to rip off some of the girl’s clothes.

“I was able to pull the little girl away from the dog, and tried to keep him away with my broom,” Hernandez said. “He just kept insisting to come after her.”

Video showed Hernandez, broomstick pointed at the dog, holding onto the girl as they walked toward her home.

The child remained hospitalized late Thursday morning. Details about her condition were not immediately available, but Hernandez said paramedics told her she is recovering.

Details about the dog were not immediately available.