Dominique Badea, 30, of Lima, was on the Riverwalk near the YMCA when two Cane Corso dogs attacked him. Lima Police Sgt. Andy Green said Badea was bitten on both arms, both legs and his face.
According to witness and police accounts, Badea jumped into the Ottawa River in attempts to get away from the dogs.
Lima police and the Allen County Dog Warden responded to the scene at 10:55 a.m. A deputy with the dog warden was the first to arrive; he shot and killed one of the dogs while it was actively attacking Badea. The other dog was taken to the dog pound.
Badea was taken to St. Rita’s Medical Center, where he was in critical condition Monday evening.
Allen County Dog Warden Julie Shellhammer said both the dogs were registered in 2012. She was not releasing the dog owners' name.
Shellhammer said it’s important to keep dogs on a leash.
“A dog’s natural instinct is to run,” she said. Instead of trying to run away from an unruly dog, “It’s best to back away from the dog in a calm manner.”
The Lima Police Department is investigating the incident.
(LimaOhio.com - April 15, 2013)
