A vicious dog hearing will be held this Friday for the pitbull who bit a 5-year-old Portsmouth girl on the arm two weeks ago. 

The public hearing will take place at 9 a.m. at Town Hall. 

Two weeks ago, police were called to an Island Avenue home for a pitbull attack. 

A 5-year-old girl was dropped off at the residence to see her mother, who happened to be at the house visiting. When the girl began playing tug-of-war with the pitbull, the 1-year-old puppy bit her arm. 

A 26-year-old neighbor, Wyatt Joaquin, witnessed the attack and ran to help the girl. He also received minor injuries during the attack. 

The girl sustained serious injuries to her arm, but has since been treated and released from the hospital. The dog has been quarantined at the Potter League for Animals ever since. 

By state law, in the event a dog officer or law enforcement officer has probable cause to believe that a dog is vicious, the ACO or police chief will hold a hearing for the purpose of determining whether or not the dog in question should be declared vicious. 

On Friday, a three-member board will make that call, as well as determine the next appropriate steps as outlined in the state statute. 

Members of the board will be one person appointed by the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RISPCA) chairman; a member appointed by the Portsmouth police chief, which is Deputy Chief Major Jeffrey Furtado; and a third person appointed by both the RISPCA and police chief.

This third person will be the Newport animal control officer (ACO). 

The town of Portsmouth is currently without an ACO. The town has not filled the vacant position since the retirement of ACO Betsy Hanson.