8-year-old Gaston County girl recovering following pit bull attack

GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — An 8-year-old girl is recovering after her mother said their neighbor’s pit bull got loose and attacked her in her own front yard Monday.

That mother, Heather Locklear, said that initially, authorities in Gaston County didn’t seem to take the situation seriously.

Once Channel 9 began asking questions about the case, Gaston County Animal Control officials upgraded the case in its severity. Eight-year-old Ariana suffered deep wounds to her inner thighs, among other injuries.

“It’s difficult for me to get to bed and get out of it, but I have my mom to help me,” Ariana said.

Heather said the girl was playing with her younger sisters in the front yard when she heard her daughter scream.

“I rushed over and I looked and she was wrestling with this dog,” she said. “The owner was, she was attempting to stop him. She was jumping on top of the dog and he was just maneuvering right under her and getting right back on top of my daughter.”

The dog in question is in a 10-day quarantine right now, but officials have yet to officially rule it a dangerous dog.

Heather said that after Monday’s incident, she believes her neighbor’s dog should be put to sleep.

The dog’s owner spoke with Channel 9 and said the animal was likely just being overly protective and had rushed out of the house before she could get it.

That owner apologized for what happened to Ariana and was cited for not having the dog on a leash.

As painful as her physical scars are, Ariana’s mother said the emotional scars could be worse.

“As soon as they put her to sleep at the hospital she started jumping up and saying, 'Where is it?' She thinks something is going to get her again.”

Cox Media Group