CINCINNATI — A 4-year-old Cincinnati girl is recovering after being mauled by the family's dog -- with a little help from some friends.
Cincinnati police officers decided to have a little shopping spree this morning, but it wasn't for them. They were searching for the perfect gifts for Ostara, as she recovers from her injuries.
The nearly 2-year-old dog wounded Ostara's legs and thighs, and she had to be taken to the hospital. Lakesha Lee, Ostara's mother, said she was at work when she got the call that something had gone wrong, and says her daughter will be in recovery from two to six months.
"It's a long time," said Lee. "Because pinched nerves, muscles, all that has to heal. It's going to take quite a while."
While she's healing, the Cincinnati police officers who responded to the call embarked on a mission - to brighten Ostara's day.
"It's sad anytime you see a little kid hurt," said Matthew Waldman, a Cincinnati police officer who responded to the call. "I'm a parent of three, so to see little kids hurt, it affects you for sure."
Sergeant Hank Ward said police were worried about Ostara, and they wanted to show her they cared.
"She's probably very frightened," he said. "A four-year-old going to the hospital. If you're a parent, you know it's a very frightening experience for a four-year-old child."
The officers showered Ostara with gifts, and although she moved slowly because of her injuries, she was beaming as she opened gifts like dolls, a stroller, and other toys.
According to Cincinnati Police Sgt. Eric Franz, the father of the child is now charged with child endangering for failure to protect the victim from his dog.
