WINSLOW — A pet dog was shot and killed by its owners Sunday after it attacked a 14-month-old girl, police said.

The girl, whose name was not released, was taken to Inland Hospital with minor lacerations to her ear and head. No one else was injured.

The attack happened about 7 p.m. Sunday inside a Pattee Pond Road home shortly after dinner.

Animal Control Officer Charles Theobald said the girl and her father were letting their two dogs outside when one of them, a four-year-old black Labrador retriever, bit the girl on the head and wouldn’t let go. The girl’s father and grandfather pried the dog off the girl, but the dog continued to be aggressive.

The grandfather then took the dog outside, and the dog was aggressive toward him, Theobald said.

“At that time, the grandfather decided that for the safety of the girl and everyone else the dog needed to go,” he said.

The grandfather shot and killed the dog.

Theobald said the grandfather was within his rights to kill the dog, and no charges will be filed.

Theobald is not sure what triggered the dog’s actions, but rabies is not suspected. The family reported that the dog had been periodically aggressive toward the girl ever since she learned to walk, and had bitten her once before, about three months ago, Theobald said.

Ben McCanna — 861-9239

bmccanna@centralmaine.com