Pit bull victims recovering

Arlington resident Sandra Desalvo is listed in fair condition after she was attacked by her boyfriend’s three-year-old pit bull at their Brooke Avenue residence Sunday, officials at Massachusetts General Hospital said today.

Desalvo’s boyfriend, Peter Siracusa, 28, suffered non-life-threatening hand injuries as he was attacked trying to protect Desalvo, 32.

“This was an unprovoked, vicious attack,” Police Chief Frederick Ryan said. “We are going to keep this animal in our custody until determination has been made as to the final disposition of the animal.”

Chief Ryan said Siracusa was asked permission to euthanize the dog, but no decision has been made.

The incident occurred around 7:30 p.m., while Siracusa and DeSalvo were watching a movie in their living room, according to police. The couple’s three-year-old daughter, Emily Desalvo, was in a crib in the same room, and became “fussy.” When Sandra Desalvo attempted to pick up the child, the dog attacked, grabbing Desalvo’s wrist in its jaws.

Police said Siracusa failed to pry the dog off of Sandra Desalvo after “screaming, punching, and sticking his finger into [the dog’s] eyes.”

Siracusa told police that he successfully diverted the dog’s attention through offering his own hand, and as Marley bit Siracusa, he was able to “lead the dog to its crate and secure it.”

Desalvo suffered severe injuries to her wrist. According to police, those injuries are “most likely including broken bones and a severed artery.”

Ambulance workers bandaged Siracusa’s less severe hand injury until someone could arrive at his house to care for his daughter.

Woburn Animal Control Officer Larry Parese could not gain the dog’s compliance until “several attempts,” because the dog was still aggressive at the time, police said.

Desalvo was initially sent to Mount Auburn Hospital, but was transferred to Massachusetts General Hospital for further treatment.