ST PAUL, Minn. — A 7-year-old girl is recovering after she was attacked by a group of dogs in a St. Paul neighborhood Thursday.
St. Paul Police said they were called to a yard near the intersection of Dale Street and Van Buren Avenue around 5 p.m. They found the child suffering from multiple dog bite injuries to her leg and head.
Investigators learned the girl had just gotten off the bus and was walking through the neighborhood with her mom when five to seven dogs suddenly appeared out of the yards and attacked.
Police say a good Samaritan saw what was happening and ran over to scare the dogs away. As of Friday morning, police don't know the exact location of the dogs' homes but believe they live in the area where kids frequent the bus stop.
"These dogs ripped up the ground," said neighbor John Albert.
Albert's 13-year-old son was walking home from the same bus stop, too. When he went inside, he told his father about seven dogs were outside in the yard.
"I looked at the little girl and saw blood on her face," said Albert. "That's when I realized what my son was talking about."
The little girl's family identified her as 7-year-old Sumaya Farah Ali. They're thankful to Albert and others who came out to help. They started a GoFundMe to help pay for medical expenses.
Sumaya's family invited members of the media into their home Friday afternoon to discuss the attack and share their hope the dogs are found.
Abdi Ali Ahmed translated for their parents. Their mother, Sacadiya Farah, fought off the dogs for several minutes. Normally, she would be walking two little girls home from the bus stop, but Sumaya's sister was recovering from heart surgery.
"She doesn't think she could have been able to save both of them yesterday," said Sacadiya Farah through Ahmed. "She doesn't know how she's going to be able to live with these dogs if they're not caught."
All five dogs who were involved in the attack have been surrendered to St. Paul Animal Control and their owner is cooperating with the police, according to the SPPD.
If you are worried about the possibility of being attacked by a neighborhood dog, safety experts advise taking a moment to learn what an aggressive dog looks like and how to react in a worst-case scenario.
Aggressive dogs may growl, lunge, bark, bare teeth, lick lips, flatten ears, bite or snap in your direction.
The Minnesota Safety Council reports that if you're approached by a dog that might attack, do not scream or run, as the dog's instinct is to chase. Instead, stand still with your hands at your sides, avoid eye contact and as the dog loses interest, slowly back away.
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