Police search for Rottweiler that attacked Palatine woman

Rolling Meadows police are searching for the owner of a Rottweiler that attacked a Palatine woman Tuesday, though they said it's unclear whether any laws were broken.

Sgt. Tony Gaspari said Friday officers made a flier about the incident and are distributing it door-to-door in the neighborhood around Countryside Park, near the intersection of Euclid Avenue and Vermont Street. The flier provides a brief description of the dog, its handler and the incident, and asks those with information to call the department's crime tips hotline at (847) 506-6024.

Margaret Brigham of Palatine was sitting in the park talking on her cell phone Tuesday morning when, she said, a leashed Rottweiler broke free of its handler and bit her in the face, tearing her lower lip.

She underwent emergency plastic surgery that afternoon and now has a three-month recovery period.

She described the dog's handler, who walked away after the bite, as a slender white man, 17 to 20 years old, and about 6 feet 3 inches tall.

Gaspari said an investigation may uncover whether any ordinances were violated, but for now charges appear unlikely. The dog was leashed and appeared to break free of its handler by accident.

A dog handler does not have the same legal requirement to provide assistance in an attack as a vehicle driver would after a collision, Gaspari said. Nevertheless, there may be civil liabilities if not moral responsibilities in such a situation, he added.

Police share Brigham's desire to ensure that no one else is endangered by the dog, Gaspari said.

Brigham said she's pleased police are continuing the search for the dog. The copy of the police report she initially saw had a "No Further Action" box checked at the bottom.

"I'm much more relieved knowing that they are pursuing it," Brigham said.