The dog was killed in Muskegon County Tuesday night after biting the man, according to the Muskegon County Sheriff's Office.
Branden Semelbauer, 24, was repairing a car when dog, Cody, got loose and attacked him, according to the dog's owner, Jesse Nichols. Nichols is Semelbauer's brother-in-law. Semelbauer's uncle, who was in the shop, shot the dog.
Cody was a 6-year-old, 150-pound Akita breed dog. Nichols said he has a 'Beware of Dog' sign on his side door for a reason.
"I wouldn't say aggressive, but protective," said Nichols of his dog.
Nichols wasn't home when the attack took place.
"He (Cody) got out the hardest window, it's like seven or eight feet off the ground." he said.
The dog made his way next door to the auto repair shop where Semelbauer was working.
"Branden doesn't like big dogs," Nichols said. "He's skittish and scared of them. That breed, Cody, he don't like that, if you're scared, it intimidated him."
"If Ray didn't have a gun, it would have been a lot of worse," Nichols said.
The dog was killed with a single shot, and Selembauer was rushed to the hospital. Family members told FOX 17 that he is recovering at home after a successful surgery to his arm.
Nichols said he is sorry it had to come to this but he understands why. "I feel sorry for my little kids who lost their dog. I feel sorry for my brother-in-law, because he's in the hospital. I feel sorry for (Selembauer's uncle) for having to do what he did."
Co-workers say it wasn't the first time Semelbauer had been attacked by Cody.
The Muskgeon County Sheriff says his department is currently investigating the incident so far no arrests have been made.
(FOX 17 - August 14, 2012)
