Miami Beach park dog attack injures 1-year-old visitor, raising questions about leash and park rules

Incident at Beach View Park leaves toddler with facial injuries

A 1-year-old girl visiting Miami Beach from New Jersey is recovering after she was bitten in the face by a dog at Beach View Park, a neighborhood park with a playground. The incident occurred at about 10 a.m. on Friday, February 20, 2026, while the child was at the playground area with her father.

The family said the girl approached a man who was seated on a park bench with a dog. After the father asked about the dog’s temperament, the man indicated the animal was safe around children. The child initially petted the dog and walked away, then returned and moved around the animal before it lunged toward her face. The father pulled her away and sought emergency medical care.

Hospital treatment and expected follow-up care

The child was taken to Holtz Children’s Hospital in Miami. Her father reported lacerations to the lip and cheekbone area and said the wounds came close to the corner of her eye. The family said she received close to 40 stitches and is expected to be evaluated by a plastic surgeon in the coming week. The length of her overall recovery remains uncertain.

The family has retained legal counsel. No additional identifying information about the dog or its owner was released in public reporting, including the animal’s breed.

Park rules and enforcement questions

Beach View Park displays signage indicating that dogs are not allowed. Miami Beach municipal rules also prohibit dogs in public parks except at designated dog parks. The circumstances described by the family place the dog in an area where it was not permitted, raising practical questions about how such restrictions are communicated and enforced during busy daytime hours.

• Location: Beach View Park, Miami Beach
• Time: approximately 10 a.m., Friday, February 20, 2026
• Injury: facial lacerations requiring close to 40 stitches, with injuries near the eye area

Separate South Florida dog attack reported the same day

In a separate incident on Friday afternoon, February 20, 2026, a 1-year-old boy in Hallandale Beach was attacked by the family’s dog inside an apartment, according to officials. The child was airlifted for treatment and was reported to be in stable condition. The dog was surrendered to animal control and was euthanized at the request of the child’s father, while the case remained under investigation.

Public parks and homes pose different risk environments, but both incidents underscore that severe injuries can occur quickly when young children are near dogs.

What is known and what remains unclear

In the Miami Beach case, the sequence of events described by the family indicates the attack happened rapidly and at close range. It remains unclear whether any citations were issued, whether the dog was seized for evaluation, and what follow-up steps were taken regarding compliance with park rules. The family’s account, the location’s posted restrictions, and the child’s injuries are established facts; additional details may emerge as authorities and involved parties provide more information.