Boy, 3, Recovering After Alleged Dog Attack Inside Murrieta Lowe's Store

MURRIETA (CBSLA.com) — A 3-year-old Murrieta boy was recovering Monday after he was allegedly bitten by an Akita dog in a local home improvement store, according to reports.

The attack reportedly happened around 11:45 a.m. Saturday at the Lowe's Garden Center at 24701 Madison Ave., police told KCAL9's Tom Wait.

An unidentified male patron was walking the Akita on a leash when it "lashed out" at the boy, Murrieta police Sgt. Jay Froboese told the Murrieta Patch.

He was rushed to a local hospital and treated for several deep puncture wounds, including wounds to his neck and face, according to Froboese.

The boy was reportedly in stable condition as of Sunday.

"I have no information to suggest that there was any type of aggressiveness with the child or any taunting or anything of that nature," Murrieta Police Lt. Ron Driscoll said.

The owner - who was not immediately identified - did leave the scene shortly after the attack, according to Wait. Police ultimately found him and interviewed him Sunday.

It was unclear whether the owner will be cited or charged in the incident. The dog has since been quarantined, Wait reported.

Lowe's, meanwhile, says that only service dogs, such as seeing-eye dogs, are allowed in their stores. The Akita involved in the incident does not appear to be a service dog.

Anyone who may have information on the incident was asked to call Murrieta police at (951)696-3615.