Fairfield Police Dog Put In Quarantine After Biting Infant
A Fairfield police dog was put in quarantine after a bite incident that sent an infant to the hospital.
According to Winslow police Chief Shawn O’Leary, his department responded Friday night to the home of a Fairfield police officer after receiving a report that a dog had bitten an infant, CentralMaine.com reported Tuesday.
O’Leary said his department investigated the incident and Animal Control Officer Christopher Martinez would conduct an investigation as well, but no criminal charges are expected to be filed.
“It wasn’t a vicious attack," O’Leary said Tuesday. "It was just an incident involving an immature dog that had nipped at the baby.”
O’Leary said the dog has not gone through the required law enforcement training program and was not yet an active police canine.
The nearly 2-year-old dog named Rex came to the department from Croatia in January and was scheduled to spend several weeks training at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in Vassalboro this month, according to the Fairfield Police Department's Facebook page.
The animal is currently being held at the Humane Society Waterville Area, and the town of Fairfield has 10 days to decide what to do with the dog. Fairfield Town Manager Michelle Flewelling said that decision will come after the conclusion of the animal control officer's investigation.
The infant's injuries were not life-threatening.