4-year-old recovering after Norfolk K-9 attack

NORFOLK

A 4-year-old is recovering after being bitten by a police dog that was released into a house looking for a homicide suspect Wednesday morning.

Police went to the home on 20th Bay Street to search for Brian “BJ” Snowden, 22, wanted in connection with a May 27 shooting, said Chris Amos, Norfolk police spokesman.

About 7:30 a.m. police arrived and yelled for occupants to come out of the house. There was no response, but the door was partially open, Amos said. A K-9 unit came to the scene, and police again called for people inside to come out. There was no response, so the K-9 officer went in with the dog on a leash, and called three more times, still with no response, Amos said. Following protocol, he said, the officer took the dog off the leash to search.

The dog entered a room where a 4-year-old was sleeping. Amos said the child likely moved and the dog attacked. When the child screamed, the K-9 officer ran in and commanded the dog to release.

Moments later, three adults emerged from other parts of the house, Amos said. Snowden was not there.

The child was seen by paramedics, but the family refused their treatment and took him to Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters, where he was treated and released, Amos said.

The incident will be investigated.