FORT DODGE – A vicious pit bull attack in Fort Dodge left two men seriously injured and the dog dead after it was shot.
According to the Fort Dodge police department, on Thursday, April 16, 2015 at approximately 7:55 PM, the Webster County Communications Center received a call in regards to an 18-year-old male who had been bitten by a dog. The individual took himself to Trinity Regional Medical Center – Unity Point. It was determined that the individual had sustained an injury to his upper leg resulting from a dog bite from a pit bull.
Due to the type of incident that had occurred, Fort Dodge Animal Control was contacted to handle the dog. In doing so, the Animal Control officer, Blaine Hepp, contacted the Fort Dodge Police Department for assistance. At approximately 9:00 PM, Animal Control and officers with the Fort Dodge Police Department arrived at 630 South 14th Street to make contact with the dog owner.
As per the Fort Dodge City Animal Control Ordinance, a dog that bites an individual is to be taken into custody for a period of time for evaluation. To do so, Animal Control is required to contain and take possession of the dog, and transport it to a safe facility.
During the first attempt to contain the dog, Animal Control Officer Hepp was attacked and sustained significant injuries to his inner upper thigh. Animal Control Officer Hepp was able to continue his duties and made a second attempt to gain control of the dog.
During the second attempt to contain the dog, the dog broke free from the dog owner and again attacked the Animal Control Officer a second time. During the second attack, the Hepp was unable to break free, and in order to prevent any further injuries to Hepp, an assisting officer with the Fort Dodge Police Department was forced to fire his weapon at the dog to stop the attack.
Due to the severity of the injuries sustained during the attack, Animal Control Officer Hepp was transported by ambulance to Trinity Regional Medical Center – Unity Point. Both the 18-year-old male and Animal Control Officer Hepp required significant medical treatment for their injuries. They are expected to make a full recovery.
The dog died as a result of the gunshot and was transported to a local veterinary clinic. The dog will then be transported to Iowa State University for rabies testing as a precautionary measure. The Fort Dodge Police Department was assisted by the Webster County Sheriff’s Office, the Fort Dodge Fire Department, and Trinity Regional Medical Center – Unity Point.
The dog is dead. Fine the hell out of the owner. It is his fault the dog attacked.
@LVS….I agree. Plus…I think all medical expenses incurred by these two people should be assessed to the dog owner too.