News Release

National Park Service seeks tips from the public to identify persons involved in a dog attack at Catoctin Mountain Park

Date: October 8, 2020
Contact: Peggie Gaul, 301-663-9388

THURMONT, Md. National Park Service Rangers at Catoctin Mountain Park are seeking tips from the public to aid an investigation into a dog attack on a child that occurred in the park Friday, October 2, 2020. 

At around 2:30 p.m. that day, a man and woman were walking two dogs along the yellow-blazed trail to Blue Ridge Summit Vista. One dog was described as a gray American Pit Bull Terrier (pit bull) and the other was described as a brown and white spaniel; both dogs were leashed. The man and woman were described as white and middle aged, and the man was wearing a bandana-style mask. 

As the couple and their dogs passed by other visitors with a child the man revealed that the dog was not friendly. Seconds later the pit bull bit the child. According to witnesses, the attack was unprovoked. The dog owners did not assist the injured child, provide their names or information, nor did they provide information about the dog’s vaccination records. The injured child was treated at a local hospital.   

If you have information that could aid the investigation into this dog attack, or if you were in the area of the yellow-blazed trail on October 2, and may have seen the involved people or their vehicle, please contact park dispatch at 1-866-677-6677 or  
CALL or TEXT the ISB (Investigative Services Branch of the National Park Serivce) Tip Line 888-653-0009 
ONLINE  www.nps.gov/ISB > click “Submit a Tip” 
EMAIL  e-mail us 
EMERGENCY dial 9-1-1  

You will not be asked to identify yourself, but please share what you know.