Man and his guide dog recover from Rottweiler attack

CALIFORNIA – Frank Lopez, a blind Sacramento man, usually relies on his guide dog Nolan to keep him safe. But their roles reversed when Nolan was attacked by two dogs and Frank literally used his own body to protect his canine companion.

Frank and his 3-year-old yellow lab Nolan were on their weekly walk on El Camino Avenue last month when two vicious rottweillers pounced on Nolan.

“It caught us totally off guard. He didn’t have a chance. I didn’t have a chance,” explained Lopez. “I’ve never been so terrified in my life.”

Lopez says he heard the sounds of dogs running, then he heard Nolan’s cries as he was being attacked.

“He (Lopez) wrapped himself around the dog to protect his dog,” said animal control officer Ruben Hernandez.

“He’s covered with blood. I was covered with blood,” said Lopez. “We had no idea whose blood was on who.”

 Frank and Nolan were bleeding on the side of the road when a witness pulled over to help just as the owner of the Rottweilers showed up.

According to the witness, the owner told them not to call police, and then dragged his dogs away.

But Sacramento County Animal Control officers found the dogs and declared them vicious.

The owner of the dogs, Jeff Strader, says he keeps the dogs at his business to guard the property, but on that day, he accidentally left the gate open.

“My prayers go out to Mr. Lopez, his dog, his wife,” Strader told CBS13’s Maria Medina over the phone.

The dogs are being held by animal control, but Strader can get the dogs back if he takes them home and trains them.

Someone care to explain how you 'untrain' guard dogs??

As for Nolan, he’s made a full recovery from his wounds. It will take Frank months to recover from his injuries, both physical and emotional.

“If I hear a dog go by someplace, that makes me think twice,” said Lopez.

(CBS13 - November 3, 2011)

Earlier:

• Blind teacher's guide dog attacked by Rottweilers