SOUTH SACRAMENTO, CA - A man is recovering in the hospital after trying to secure a neighbor's dog that broke free from its leash in a south Sacramento neighborhood Monday.
Deborah McPhereson said she and her 6-year-old daughter ran in their home for safety when Cowboy, their neighbor's pit bull, broke free from his leash.
Meanwhile, Scott, McPhereson's uncle, tried to secure the dog, but the animal ended up attacking him, said witnesses.
The uncle managed to get a hold of a knife and tried to fight off the dog in a bloody battle.
The dog was eventually restrained, but Scott was badly injured during the confrontation.
"I saw all of this. I'm just screaming, 'help him, help him,'" said McPhereson.
"He has a gash to the head, the chest, the arm , and the leg," said Gina Knepp with Sacramento Animal Services.
The pet owner says his beloved dog was just trying to protect its family. He also said it started off as something harmless, with the dog chasing a cat.
Cowboy was taken to the city animal shelter where an investigation will determine the dog's fate.
Sacramento Animal Services says they will be interviewing witnesses and victims, determining the severity of the injuries, and investigating the circumstances leading up to the attack before rendering a decision.
By Suzanne Phan, sphan@news10.net
Twitter:@SuzannePhan