1-Year-Old Attacked by Dog in Miami Beach Park

Father demands answers after daughter suffers facial injuries

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A father is seeking answers after his 1-year-old daughter was attacked and bitten in the face by a dog while the family was on vacation in Miami Beach. The incident occurred at Beach View Park, where the father says the dog's owner had claimed the animal was "safe" and "good with kids." The young girl suffered cuts and swelling to her face and is experiencing mental trauma from the attack.

Why it matters

Dog attacks on young children are a serious public safety concern, especially in public spaces where families gather. This incident raises questions about enforcement of leash laws and animal control policies in Miami Beach parks, as well as the responsibility of dog owners to properly restrain and control their pets around vulnerable populations.

The details

According to the father, Andy Petranker, the family was at Beach View Park on the last day of their vacation when the attack occurred. Petranker said his daughter had been petting the dog earlier that morning, and the owner had assured him the animal was "safe" and "good with kids." However, when the girl walked away towards the playground, the dog suddenly lunged at her face, biting her on the right side. Petranker said his daughter suffered cuts and swelling, including to her right eye, and is now experiencing mental trauma from the incident, including difficulty sleeping and crying in pain.

  • The attack occurred on Friday, February 21, 2026 at Beach View Park in Miami Beach.
  • The family was on the last day of their vacation in Miami Beach when the incident took place.

The players

Andy Petranker

The father of the 1-year-old girl who was attacked by the dog in Miami Beach.

The dog's owner

The owner of the dog that attacked Petranker's daughter, who had claimed the animal was "safe" and "good with kids."

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We don't know what to say. We're in shock still at this point.”

— Andy Petranker, Father of attacked child (NBC6)

“You don't expect something like this to happen.”

— Andy Petranker, Father of attacked child (NBC6)

What’s next

Petranker says he has filed a police report and plans to take legal action against the dog's owner. It is unclear if the owner will face any charges.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the need for stricter enforcement of leash laws and animal control policies in public parks to protect young children from the risk of dog attacks. It also underscores the responsibility of dog owners to ensure their pets are properly restrained and not a danger to others, especially in family-friendly areas.