A 7-year-old girl is recovering after her neighbor's dog bit her on the cheek on Wednesday.
Aside from playing with her two dogs, Salena Posada also enjoys playing with her neighbor's dog, Bubba.
"He jumps on the gate, I pet him and he is so cute," said Salena.
On Wednesday, it was a much different encounter with the dog. While Bubba was on a leash outside his owner’s gate, Salena went over to pet and hug him. While doing so, the dog bit Salena on her cheek.
The bite required Salena to get 28 stitches.
"I don't know why he bit me," said Salena.
Salena’s mom, Fanny, was only a couple of feet from her daughter at the time.
"There are no words to explain how that made me feel," said Fanny. "She always hugs him goodbye every day, for 10 months."
Neighbors also are shocked to see the dog suddenly turned vicious.
"Always liked the kids, always was friendly," said one neighbor.
The dog wasn’t taken by animal control but was put on home quarantine.
The dog's owner didn’t want to speak to Bay News 9 but mentioned in the animal control report that he was going to euthanize the dog, but then didn’t do so.
He also declines to release the dog to the county’s animal services.
Salena’s mom thinks more needs to be done.
"We want the dog gone," said Fanny Posada. "We have 2 1/2 months left on our lease -- I don't care what happens to that dog, but I’ll tell you what, somebody has got to pay for what happen to my baby's face."
Salena also shares her mom’s feelings.
"I just want him to go to another home, but I don't want him to hurt another person," she said.
A doctor has advised that Salena not be in the sun for the next six months. Her injuries will require reconstructive surgery.
Her mom hired a lawyer and plans to file a lawsuit against her neighbor.