Residents in Riverdale are still shocked over this week's pit bull attack on a 4-year-old girl.

The attack happened a little after 8 a.m. Wednesday on Foster Avenue.

Police tell News 12 that the dog bit the girl on her face and neck. She was rushed to NYC Health+Hospitals/Jacobi in critical condition but is now listed in stable condition.

Authorities believe the dog pushed his way through his owner's fence and then attacked the girl, who had just left her house with her mother to go to school.

MORE: Pit bull attacks 4-year-old in Riverdale

Many residents in the neighborhood are asking what led to the attack. They also want to know what can be done to prevent something like this from happening again. Residents say dogs are a common sight on the North Riverdale block.

Anthony Jerone runs a certified dog training center and says dogs can pose a danger no matter their size. Jerone says the responsibility starts with the owner.

Jerone says proper training with a certified expert will help temperament behavior and reduce unfortunate incidents. Resident Leena Dolan is an owner of a pit bull and says people prejudge the breed.

The dog that attacked the 4-year-old is now in the custody of the city's Animal Care and Control.