An eight-year-old boy is being treated for numerous bite wounds while the dog that attacked his sister awaits its fate at Riverside Kennels.

Police and animal control officers were called to a park on Allan Street at about 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday to break up an animal attack.

Cpl. Kathe DeHeer, media liaison officer for the Red Deer City RCMP, said a 10-year-old girl had been playing with two other children, including her little brother, when a loose dog attacked her.

The dog turned on the boy when he tried to intervene, said DeHeer.

“He suffered bites to his arms, legs, face, torso — all over.”

Firemedics took the boy to Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre for treatment, she said.

The police officer in charge of investigating the attack went to the hospital to check on the boy, but he was still under treatment at the time. Police do not believe the injuries are life threatening and are expected to release further details today, said DeHeer.

Investigators have not yet determined why the dog was loose or what provoked the attack, she said.

The animal’s owners have been found from its license tag, but had not been contacted by the time it was apprehended.

People responding to the scene, including RCMP and by-law enforcement officers from Alberta Animal Services remarked that the dog — an male Siberian husky — seemed well trained and obedient.

Police were able to corral the dog in an outdoor rink at the park until bylaw enforcement officers arrived.

Bylaw officer Mike Alexandre said the dog tried to move away from his catch pole, but stopped and sat on command and allowed itself to be handled without offering resistance, although it was reluctant to enter a portable kennel.

“When we got there, the dog was calm and when we approached, it didn’t show any aggression,” said Alexandre.

No charges were laid on Tuesday, said DeHeer. However, depending on the results of their investigation, police have a number of options available to them, she said. The Criminal Code, other federal and provincial statutes and municipal bylaws all provide penalties relating to loose dogs and to dog attacks.

Contact Brenda Kossowan at bkossowan@reddeeradvocate.com