Prosecutors: probe into Carnikava dog attack on children proceeding as planned, owner cooperating

Prosecutor Dainis Krasts of the Pierīga Prosecutor's Office told LETA that the pre-trial investigation into the dog attack on preschool children in Carnikava is actively progressing according to an investigation plan. The case has been classified under the Criminal Law chapter covering crimes against public safety and order, and is being investigated by the State Police in cooperation with municipal police and the Food and Veterinary Service.

Krasts stressed that protecting the affected children's interests and psychological wellbeing is a priority, which is why detailed information about specific investigative actions is not being made public. To avoid re-traumatizing the children, the severity of their injuries for the forensic medical examination was determined using documents from the emergency medical service and treatment facilities, avoiding the need to involve the children again in procedural steps.

Owner cooperating with investigators

Several procedural actions have been carried out since the incident, including work involving the dogs' owner, who prosecutors say is cooperating with investigators. The State Police have been gathering evidence since the day of the attack, and expert examinations have been ordered whose results will be important for further decisions.

The dogs are no longer with their owner — they have been isolated and pose no threat to public safety. Their future will be decided based on the findings of the investigation and examinations. Businessman Ivo Vasiļevskis, the dogs' owner, earlier told TV3 that the animals are currently being kept at a hotel in Baltezers, that new owners are being sought for them, and that they plan to separate the dogs, as keeping them together could pose a repeat risk. He explained that the dogs escaped after workers repairing sewage on the property accidentally left a gate open.

As previously reported, on September 4 two unsupervised dogs attacked a group of kindergarten children during an approved walk outside the facility's grounds. Six children were injured, two of whom were hospitalized, along with a teacher who tried to hold the dogs back. Prosecutors and police said they will inform the public once doing so no longer risks harming the investigation or the victims' rights.