SAUGUS, Mass. — A family tells FOX25 they are outraged after their baby girl was bitten twice on the face by a dog inside a town building.
It happened inside the Saugus Town Hall.
Police took a report and other visitors to the building asked why a dog was inside to begin with.
“I think it's terrible. I don't think a dog should be allowed in there. Any dog for that matter,” Valeria Snyder, a Saugus resident, said.
The child’s injuries were serious enough that she was taken to the hospital.
Her mother told FOX25 the injuries could leave permanent marks.
“Her face is scarred and she had to endure a painful procedure that left her with 10 stitches. No story or comment can capture the pain and trauma my 18-month-old baby girl - and we as a family - have had to face.
There should be an assumption of a safe environment when entering a Town Hall," the mother said.
It's not clear if the dog was on a leash, but investigators say the Frenchton mix belongs to an elected official in town.
The dog’s owner did not answer phone calls from FOX25 Wednesday.
In a statement, the town’s attorney said it doesn’t appear the town did anything wrong.
“This is an unfortunate incident that we are investigating and our heart goes out to the family,” a statement said. “There was no wrongdoing by the town. We don't have any laws prohibiting dogs inside town hall.”
Some residents say it might be time to change that.
“The general public comes here to conduct business and it can happen anywhere. But you should be safe to go to city hall, I would think,” Lisa Tiro, a resident, said.
The dog is now in quarantine at home for 10 days while an investigation into the incident continues.