Two dogs attacked a 5-year-old girl at a playground in Jaunmārupe, Latvia, on Tuesday afternoon, prompting local residents to demand action from authorities.
The incident occurred around 3:15 p.m. Near a children’s play area in the Jaunmārupe municipality, where the girl was playing unsupervised when two unleashed dogs approached and bit her multiple times, according to witnesses.
Emergency responders arrived shortly after and transported the child to a nearby hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Police confirmed the girl is in stable condition and is expected to recover fully.
Local residents said the dogs had been roaming freely in the area for several days prior to the attack, despite repeated complaints to municipal officials about uncontrolled pets in public spaces.
“This isn’t the first time we’ve seen dogs without leashes or owners near the playground,” said one parent who wished to remain anonymous. “We’ve asked for patrols, for fines, for something to be done — but nothing changes until a child gets hurt.”
Authorities have opened an investigation into the incident and are working to identify the dogs’ owner. Under Latvian law, pet owners are liable for injuries caused by their animals in public areas and failure to control a dog can result in fines or criminal charges.
The case has reignited community concerns about pet safety regulations in residential neighborhoods, particularly in areas with high foot traffic near schools and playgrounds.
Officials from the Jaunmārupe municipal office said they are reviewing current enforcement practices and will consider increasing patrols and public awareness campaigns about leash laws.
As of Wednesday morning, no arrests have been made, and the dogs remain in the care of animal control pending the outcome of the investigation.
