PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — The Pasco County Sheriff's Office is investigating two dog attacks in Shady Hills Thursday morning.
- Teen, 77-year-old man attacked by pack of pit bulls
- Attack occurred at two different locations
- Teen suffered minor injuries, man suffered serious injuries
Deputies said a 15-year-old boy and a 77-year-old man were attacked by several pit bulls at two different locations.
The sheriff's office originally said the dogs were bulldogs, however, the owner confirmed that they are pit bulls.
"My dogs got out," said owner Keith Humphrey. "Just a natural mistake that happens."
The sheriff's office received a call at 6:53 a.m. that three adult pit bulls and two puppies were roaming in the area of Crews Lake Park.
According to officials, the two puppies were not involved in the attack.
Deputies said the boy was bit on the leg while either walking to school or waiting for the bus and received minor injuries.
The man is said to have serious injuries.
"They ain't never bit nobody[sic] ever in their life," Humphrey said about the dogs. "It's just something that happened, and, like I said, I'm just sorry for the family."
The sheriff's office said one of the dogs tried to attack a deputy who ended up having to fire at the dog. That dog was humanely euthanized at Humphrey's request.
"She was sitting on my front porch, dying," he said, describing when he first learned his dog had been shot.
The other two adult dogs involved in the attack have been impounded and are in the custody of Pasco County Animal Services. The two puppies have been returned to the owner.
All five dogs belong to the same owners.
We spoke to the 77-year-old victim's daughter, who told us her father needed stitches in both legs and one of his hands, but he was doing well this morning.
(Correction made in the story to show that the breed of the dogs is a pit bull and not a bulldog.)