A dog with no tags mauled an 8-year-old girl yesterday about 18 miles south of Bowling Green, Ohio, and attacked the girl’s sister and mother when they tried to help. Steven Rock, the girl’s father shot and killed the dog to end the attack, according to the Toledo Blade.

The incident, which happened in Bairdstown, shows just how fast serious injuries can happened with dog bites, as well as the shame of the dog’s death. Rodney Cook, the Wood County dog warden, said the dog looked like an English bulldog-pit bull mix, according to the Blade’s story. He speculated that someone may have abandoned the dog.

If the dog was abandoned, it was both a cruel and dangerous act. It’s fortunate that Mr. Rock was home and was able to protect his family. Having seen the impact of these types of incidents on dog-bite victims, I just hope the 8-year-old’s injuries are not too serious.