3-year-old seriously injured in two-dog attack in Mount Pleasant, Iowa
Police said two dogs attacked a 3-year-old girl in Mount Pleasant on May 13, 2026; later court reporting said her head injuries required more than 70 stitches and were classified as Level II trauma.
Incident summary
Mount Pleasant police responded around 4:30 p.m. on May 13, 2026, after two dogs attacked a 3-year-old girl. Officers found the child with a head wound, provided first aid and transferred care to Henry County Ambulance. Later court/citation reporting said the child required more than 70 stitches and sustained Level II trauma injuries.
Police cited 21-year-old Katie Lynn Murdock for having a vicious animal. KILJ reported that she pleaded not guilty on May 19 and that the City of Mount Pleasant requested euthanasia of both dogs while they remained in shelter custody. The reviewed sources did not establish a final adjudication, so BiteDB records the charge, plea and requested disposition without implying guilt or a final court outcome.
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Primary record used by BiteDB
KILJ reported, citing Mount Pleasant Police Chief Lyle Murray, that officers were dispatched at approximately 4:30 p.m. May 13 after a two-dog attack on a 3-year-old child. Officers found a head wound, rendered first aid, and the child was transported by ambulance. The initial report identified the 600 block of North Jackson Street; a May 21 follow-up based on the citation/court documents identified the 600 block of North Broadway. BiteDB preserves that unresolved location discrepancy.
Open original source ↗Additional sources
- Mount Pleasant Woman Pleads Not Guilty After Dog Attack — KILJ court/citation follow-up · 2026-05-21
- Mount Pleasant Woman Pleads Not Guilty Following Serious Dog Attack — Ottumwa Radio court-report corroboration · 2026-05-21
What BiteDB does not infer
Breed is recorded only at the provenance level shown above. Missing injury details, dog history, ownership facts or circumstances remain unknown unless a reliable source establishes them. This record may be updated as police, animal-control, medical, court or follow-up reporting becomes available.