BY BRIDGET TURCOTTE

SAUGUS — An investigation is underway after an 18-month-old baby was bitten by a dog at Saugus Town Hall.

A police report was filed Friday at 9:53 a.m. stating that at around 4 p.m. Thursday, a small child was bitten by a dog on the first floor of the building, said Lt. Ronald Giorgetti. Giorgetti said the incident is currently an open investigation.

“The child was bitten by the animal at Town Hall,” Giorgetti said.

The dog reportedly belongs to Vice-Chairman of the School Committee Peter Manoogian.

However, Giorgetti said the identity of the dog owner could not be confirmed by police due to the open investigation.

The case was referred to Animal Control Officer Harold Young, he said. “The father of the child walked into the Town Hall facility, opened the door, and the dog bit the child,” said Young. “The dog was on a leash, vaccinated, and licensed.”

The child received medical attention as a result of the attack.

“She was treated at Boston Children’s Hospital,” Young said.

Young said he followed standard procedure and quarantined the dog for safe measure.

“The dog has been quarantined to (its) residence for 10 days,” he said. “Anytime a dog causes injury to a human being or another animal, it is quarantined for 10 days.”

During those 10 days, the dog will be monitored for a number of things, including signs of disorientation, paralysis, and seizures, he said.

“The dog is licensed, vaccinated, and has been quarantined,” he said.

“I’m not going to comment on any open claim or investigation,” Manoogian said. “Just for some background, quarantining is a standard procedure that is used. It’s a standard procedure that every community has that process in place. It’s common practice.”

Town Counsel John Vasapolli said he was unaware of the incident and was not familiar with a law prohibiting dogs from being inside the building.

“There is no sign out there saying ‘no pets allowed,” Young said.

The Town Manager was unavailable for comment.

Bridget Turcotte can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @BridgetTurcotte

BY BRIDGET TURCOTTE

SAUGUS — An investigation is underway after an 18-month-old baby was bitten by a dog at Saugus Town Hall.

A police report was filed Friday at 9:53 a.m. stating that at around 4 p.m. Thursday, a small child was bitten by a dog on the first floor of the building, said Lt. Ronald Giorgetti. Giorgetti said the incident is currently an open investigation.

“The child was bitten by the animal at Town Hall,” Giorgetti said.

The dog reportedly belongs to Vice-Chairman of the School Committee Peter Manoogian.

However, Giorgetti said the identity of the dog owner could not be confirmed by police due to the open investigation.

The case was referred to Animal Control Officer Harold Young, he said. “The father of the child walked into the Town Hall facility, opened the door, and the dog bit the child,” said Young. “The dog was on a leash, vaccinated, and licensed.”

The child received medical attention as a result of the attack.

“She was treated at Boston Children’s Hospital,” Young said.

Young said he followed standard procedure and quarantined the dog for safe measure.

“The dog has been quarantined to (its) residence for 10 days,” he said. “Anytime a dog causes injury to a human being or another animal, it is quarantined for 10 days.”

During those 10 days, the dog will be monitored for a number of things, including signs of disorientation, paralysis, and seizures, he said.

“The dog is licensed, vaccinated, and has been quarantined,” he said.

“I’m not going to comment on any open claim or investigation,” Manoogian said. “Just for some background, quarantining is a standard procedure that is used. It’s a standard procedure that every community has that process in place. It’s common practice.”

Town Counsel John Vasapolli said he was unaware of the incident and was not familiar with a law prohibiting dogs from being inside the building.

“There is no sign out there saying ‘no pets allowed,” Young said.

The Town Manager was unavailable for comment.

Bridget Turcotte can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @BridgetTurcotte