Northwest Miami‑Dade residents are on alert after a family dog identified as Diablo fled the scene of an attack on a 17‑year‑old girl. Deputies from the Miami‑Dade Sheriff’s Office attempted to subdue the animal on Thursday, but an electronic control device failed to incapacitate it, and the dog escaped into the surrounding neighborhood.
Incident details
According to the sheriff’s office, deputies responded to a call at a residence near Northwest 66th Street and 17th Avenue. Video from the department’s Chopper 6 helicopter shows deputies entering the backyard where the dog was cornered near a structure. When the animal approached from behind, a deputy deployed an electronic control weapon, but the device did not strike the dog.
Shortly thereafter, the footage shows Diablo running around the back of the property and disappearing into the nearby streets. Inside the home, first responders found the teenager with several injuries. Miami‑Dade Fire Rescue transported her to Jackson Memorial Hospital, where the owner later reported she is recovering.
Owner’s response and animal‑services challenges
The dog’s owner, who lives in Homestead and rents the northwest Miami‑Dade property, told NBC6 that she is trying to locate Diablo safely but has encountered difficulties with Miami‑Dade Animal Services. When she called the agency to inquire about surrendering a dog that has bitten someone, she was told the facility is currently full.
“Even if I do find him, what am I supposed to do? He’s not like a dangerous dog. He probably isn’t going to bite again. It’s probably something that just happened at the moment, but why take the risk?” the owner said.
The owner also noted that Diablo only responds to commands given in Spanish and that a rear‑unit tenant helps care for the animal.
Search continues
Deputies continue to search for Diablo, urging residents to report any sightings. The owner expressed frustration that animal‑services officials have not joined law‑enforcement efforts following the attack.
Authorities ask anyone with information about Diablo’s whereabouts to contact the Miami‑Dade Sheriff’s Office immediately.
Original reporting: NBC6 Miami — read the source article.
