Dog Bite Sends Man to Hospital, Animal's Rabies Vaccination Past Due

The Thanksgiving holiday didn't end so nicely for these two families after one man was attacked and bit by a neighbors dog while bringing bags out to his car.

Dispatchers received a 911 call at 6:48 p.m. Nov. 22 about a 54-year-old Port Washington man who was bit in by a neighbor's dog, according to police reports.

Police responded to the area of the 900 block of Woodland Avenue and found the man at his father's residence holding towels to the top of his head, the report said. The man told police that he had been bringing a bag to his car when he heard a dog barking.

He looked to the east and noticed a woman with a leashed pit bull-type dog, the report said. The woman advised the man to remain still because the dog bites.

The dog broke free from the leash and ran to the man, knocking him to the ground, and, according to the report, began biting at his head. The man tried to kick the dog away in defense and eventually the owner was able to gain control and pull the dog off.

Police noted lacerations to the man's head, hand and groin area. The bag he was holding remained outside, and froth from the dog's mouth was on the bag. The man's key was found on the sidewalk, and his glasses were in the grass, the report said. The man was taken to Aurora Hospital for treatment of his injuries; beyond stitches to his ear, no further details about his injuries were noted in the police reports.

Police made contact with the dog's owners, a 44-year-old Port woman and 45-year-old Port man. The owners advised police that the dog had developed agression issues because of other dogs in the neighborhood coming onto their property, the report said. 

Police learned that the dog was not licensed with the city. They asked owners whether the dog was up-to-date with its vaccinations, and the owners said they believed it was, referring police to the Saukville Veterinary Clinic, according to the report. After following up with the clinic, police learned the dog's rabies vaccine had expired in November 2011.

The dog was therefore quarantined and impounded at the Wisconsin Humane Society Ozaukee Campus. The owners were cited for vicious dog and unlicensed dog.