PALM RIVER, Fla. (AP) — Authorities say a pit bull mix bit a little girl on the face at a Tampa Bay area apartment complex.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office reports that the dog’s owner had tied the dog to a rail Monday and was preparing to give it a bath. Authorities say 3-year-old Destiny McKenzie was playing outside with other children when she somehow came within the dog’s reach. The dog bit the little girl on the face and wouldn’t let go until its owner hit the dog in the head.

The girl was taken to a Tampa hospital with a severe cut on her face.

The dog was taken into custody by animal control officers. It wasn’t immediately clear in the dog’s owner would be charged.

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