The incident occurred around 10 am on the morning of July 17 near the Sports Center les Pereres de Xàtiva. An eleven‑month‑old girl was walking with her father, mother, and grandparents when a dog attacked the child. The infant sustained injuries to her leg and was taken to a hospital for treatment. Initial assessments indicated she remained stable after admission. Health authorities confirmed the condition later that day, noting stabilization and ongoing observation.
What followed was a tense scene as family members acted quickly to separate the dog from the child. The attack appears to have been a lunge bite from a small breed, identified as a Miniature Bull Terrier. This breed is not currently listed among dogs deemed potentially dangerous, yet the incident underscores how quickly such animals can injure. Reports indicate the owner failed to secure the dog properly, leaving it unsnapped and at liberty during the walk.
Andrés Yaggí, a janitor at the sports center at the time, described the moment he arrived. He recalled seeing a chaotic scene with the mother cradling the infant, while the owner struggled to control the dog. He noted that he has owned dogs of this breed and understands how difficult it is to release a bite after it has occurred, regardless of the effort applied. Yaggí spoke about the challenge of stopping a dog once it has latched on, and he emphasized that the action to loosen a bite may not always succeed even when it is attempted with force.
He also reflected on the dog’s behavior, commenting that controlling the animal from the nose is a theoretical method and not always practical in a real bite scenario. He described the moment of capture and release as challenging, describing how the dog clamped and the group struggled to free the child from its jaws.
The girl’s father and grandfather sustained hand injuries during the effort to intervene. After the child was freed, she was transported to Xàtiva Hospital in a private vehicle arranged by the sports center director. Medical staff from the facility evaluated her condition and provided necessary care on arrival. Ongoing monitoring and follow-up care were arranged as part of her treatment plan.
The national police are actively investigating the incident. The Pereres complex is equipped with surveillance cameras, and video footage from the time of the event has been supplied to investigators. The inquiry will determine the sequence of events and whether safety regulations were followed at the time of the bite.
change of ownership
According to initial reports, 112 notified the Xàtiva Local Police, which responded promptly to the scene. Local Police Superintendent Antonio Collado confirmed that investigators traced the dog’s ownership and found that the dog had recently been transferred to another person. Officers verified that a change in ownership had not been properly documented two months prior. In addition, the Miniature Bull Terrier breed has a reputation for high energy and strong bite force relative to its size, which has prompted local authorities to monitor the dog closely as part of the broader public safety concern.
Investigators noted that the dog weighed under 20 kilos, which according to current classifications may influence how it is assessed under dangerous animal regulations. After the bite, the dog was initially housed in a designated kennel at local facilities and was later relocated to the guardianship of a different entity for temporary safekeeping. Police officials also stated that the dog’s current status and whereabouts would be determined by the judicial process, with a focus on ensuring public safety during the interim period.
The Local Police described the animal as appearing calm on initial inspections but acknowledged the dramatic nature of the event. They added that the previous owner opted to transfer custody to another entity, with neither party returning to Xàtiva carrying the dog. The ongoing case now rests with the judicial authorities, who will determine the appropriate long‑term arrangement for the animal and any related licensing or notification obligations.