Dog attacks toddler

MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake toddler attacked by a Labrador retriever Sunday night is recovering in the Children's Hospital at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane.

Mason Ramirez, 3, suffered lacerations to the face, forehead, eye, shoulder and puncture wounds to the head, the Moses Lake Police Department reported.

He is expected to be released today.

"He's a very active 3-year-old that doesn't want to be at the hospital," Aunt Rachel McAskill said.

She said he is in good spirits and is recovering well. He is currently on antibiotics.

One of the family's primary concerns was for Ramirez's eye and the risk of blindness from the injury.

"The dog bit him right on the eye," she said.

The eye is expected to be fully functional upon recovery.

Doctors applied more than 10 stitches to Ramirez near his eye, face and scalp.

McAskill said scarring is expected.

The attack happened near Ramirez's home on Harborview Street on a neighbor's property, police reported.

He and several other children were outside at the neighbor's property when the Labrador retriever bit the toddler, she said.

"They were just trying to say 'hi' to the dog," she suspects.

How the incident ensued remains unknown.

The incident remains under investigation, Capt. Dave Ruffin said. Police are interviewing witnesses to find out what happened.

In similar dog-bite situations, the animal is quarantined for approximately two weeks at the Moses Lake/Grant County Animal Shelter, he said. The quarantine is regular procedure during criminal investigations.

Whether the dog will be released, terminated or declared dangerous will be determined at the end of the investigation.

McAskill said there was a quick response from the Moses Lake Fire Department. A paramedic who lives near Ramirez was one of the first at the scene.

"They just did an awesome job," she said.

Ramirez was initially transported to Samaritan Healthcare.