2-year-old attacked by dogs in Tri-Cities now home after days in Spokane hospital

A Tri-Cities toddler has been released from a Spokane hospital after being attacked by dogs while playing in the yard of her east Kennewick home.

Two dogs belonging to a neighbor ran into the yard of David and Galina Rizin on April 18 and attacked the youngest of their four children, Zoey, age 2.

Zoey was flown to Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital in Spokane , and a GoFundMe reported that she was finally home in the Tri-Cities on Wednesday.

“We are still under the supervision of doctors and will be traveling back and forth to Spokane,” the family said in an update on the fundraiser, which was organized by Danny and Hannah Rizin.

One of the dogs was a Labrador and the other was a Dobermann and American Bully mix, according to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office. Information was not available on which one was the primary aggressor.

Neither had previously been declared potentially dangerous, so no criminal charges are being pursued, according to the sheriff’s office.

The dogs have been impounded and are being declared dangerous now.

The area where the attack occurred is in Benton County’s jurisdiction. Benton County requires a permit costing $500 for each dangerous dog and then a $100 annual renewal fee for each permit.

The GoFundMe account had raised about $15,000 by Wednesday to cover costs such as travel expenses and unforeseen medical expenses.

Galina Rizin had been staying in Spokane with Zoey, while the rest of the family remained at home in the Tri-Cities.

The fundraiser was started to give the family the flexibility to give their full attention to Zoey and their other children, it said.

“Your support is so appreciated and the family asks for continued prayer as we know our God is a God of healing, love and comfort, which is exactly what this family needs right now,” the GoFundMe said.

The fundraiser is at bit.ly/SupportRizinFamily .