Pitbull injures four-year-old at playground in Palma – owner leaves scene

Fear at the playground: child attacked, owner leaves

Yesterday afternoon, a sudden commotion erupted in a quiet corner of Palma. At around 5:15 p.m., children were playing on a small square near Son Armadans when a large dog ran toward the climbing frame and injured a four-year-old girl in the face. Several bystanders say the dog was off the leash and not muzzled.

What happened

The child sustained facial injuries and was shocked, according to witnesses. Emergency services treated the girl on the spot; fortunately the wounds were not life-threatening. The girl's grandmother accompanied her to the hospital for further examination. Many parents and bystanders were visibly shocked, some took photos of the scene, others held the children close just in case.

Particularly aggravating: The woman who apparently led the dog reportedly left the scene before police or paramedics arrived, according to eyewitnesses. Some neighbors said she was uncooperative and then headed toward Carrer de Mallorca. The police have since opened an investigation and are searching for the owner.

Reactions and concerns in the neighborhood

I spoke with a mother who comes to the playground every afternoon with her son. You think this doesn't happen here, she says. Children climb, play tag—and suddenly something like this. Other residents are now calling for more controls: strict leash checks, harsher penalties for violations, and clearer notices at the entrances to playgrounds.

Palma has rules governing dangerous dog breeds and leash requirements. Whether these were ignored in this case is being investigated by authorities. If an administrative offense is found, fines may be issued—and in the worst case, further measures for the animal.

For parents, this means: keep a watchful eye, keep an eye on children, and if possible visit playgrounds at times when they are less crowded. The municipality has announced that it takes the situation seriously and will focus on prevention.

We will keep you updated as soon as the police release new information. If you saw anything yesterday or have information about the identity of the owner, please contact local authorities—every tip could help.