Girl, 7, and grandmother, 52, in hospital after Regina dog attack

A 52-year-old woman and her granddaughter, 7, were taken to hospital in Regina Friday after being hurt by a dog. A relative told CBC News that the woman needed 45 stitches to close wounds on her hand and the child was bitten in the head.

It happened over the noon hour at a home on the 500 block of Pasqua St., northwest of the downtown.

He must have got the back of her head.- Brandon Rus

The dog, which a resident at the home said was a pit bull, was taken away by animal control officers. Police estimated the size of the animal at 60 to 80 pounds, or 27 to 36 kilograms.

A police officer at the scene, Cpl. Colin Magee, said officers provided assistance to EMS crews and animal control.

Magee said any follow up would be done by animal control and added police were not contemplating their own investigation.

"There isn't any criminal activity here, as far was we're aware," he said.

Brandon Rus lives at the home but was out when the episode occurred. Before he knew the extent of what happened, he said he knew the dog to be very gentle.

"He's like a big sweet heart," Rus said. "He doesn't come out very much because it's cold and the snow … he sits by the window."

When contacted later, after he learned about the injuries to his relatives, Rus said was very concerned.

After visiting family in the hospital, Rus learned that the child was bobbing her head from side to side and the dog may have been attracted to her waving ponytail.

"So he went to go yank at it and he must have got the back of her head," Rus said, describing bite marks on both sides of the girl's head.

He said the grandmother was hurt when she went to open the animal's jaws seeking to release the child.

Rus said the dog belongs to his uncle, who has been away.

Rus also described several spots of blood in the home, including in the living room, kitchen and basement where the dog was apparently tranquillized before being taking away.

"It's a mess in there," he said, adding that the family is determined to euthanize the animal.

"It'll probably be either put down or never enter the house again," Rus said. "Grandma even told me, there's no more animals allowed in the house."

A notice was posted to the door of the home indicating the dog had been seized and would be quarantined for a while.