Officer Chris Rankin

Public Information Officer

903-798-3187 (office) 903-260-0294 (pager)

903-824-4199 (cell) 903-798-3023 (fax)

Texarkana Arkansas Police Badge

Re: Animal Services Officer Bitten by Dogs

On 4/10/06 at approximately 2:00pm Animal Services Officer Connie Perry responded to a report of a vicious dog in in the 1400 block of Prospect St. Neighbors in the area has called 911 regarding a loose pit-bull roaming the area. A/S officer Perry arrived at the scene and discovered that the dog had returned to its home, but was able to come and go throught anopen fence. Officer Perry closed the fence, but prior to leaving the scene observed that the dog had climbed the fence and was out again. Officer Perry attempted to use a "catch pole" to gain control of the dog, which was determined to be a female pit-bull.

The dog elluded officer Perry at which point she called for a Texarkana Texas Animal Services officer to come and assist. Officer Perry stated that as soon as she finished speaking on the radio she heard a noise behind her and realized that a larger male pit-bull had broken a log chain which was holding it and was running at her. Officer Perry was able to turn away from the male dog as it jumped at her, but it was at this point that the female dog also attacked.

Both dogs bit officer Perry and were able to drag her to the ground. She sustained 5 puncture wounds on her arm along with multiple bruises. In addition to this one of the dogs bit officer Perry on the back and began shaking it's head causing the worst of the injuries. Officer Perry was able to get back to her feet and keep the animals at bay by swinging at them with a catch pole. After several minutes officer Perry was able to get back into her vehicle and call for an armed officer to respond to assist. The entire attack is estimated to have lasted for approximately 10 minutes before officer Perry was able to get back into her vehicle.

Upon arrival of patrol units and a secondary Animal Services unit, the male dog was approached and tranquilized by Officer Perry and Texas A/S officer Slider. The female was then captured. Both animals were taken to the Texarkana Animal Shelter for quarantine. Officer Perry was taken to Wadley Hospital where she received numerous sutures to the bite wounds as well as precautionary rabies vaccination shots.

The dog owner received 10 citations for charges ranging from allowing animals to run at large, to city ordinace violations regarding tags and vaccinations. Neither dog had received current rabies vaccinations. The case will go before district court to determine what will happen to the dogs at this point.

Our officer was very fortunate not to have sustained more serious, possibly even fatal injuries in this case. Officer Perry relied on several years worth of training and experience to survive this attack. Residents are encouraged to call 911 to report loose dogs or animals that are suspected to be vicious. As a reminder, it is against the law to allow a dog to run at large, or to own a dog that does not have a city tag and a current rabies vaccination.

Thank you and you can visit the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department online at http://www.txkusa.org/arkpolice.