Man suffers several bites in dog attack

OHIO -- A Green Street man who was visiting a neighbor was bitten multiple times by a dog Thursday afternoon.

Michael Slaughter, 58, suffered injuries to his hand and elbow area, Zanesville police said.

Slaughter’s pants also were torn during the attack, but bites to that area didn’t break his skin, police said. Slaughter was taken to Genesis Good Samaritan Hospital by Community Ambulance.

His son, Marcus Slaughter, said his father received stitches in five places.

County Dog Warden Bryan Catlin said it was the second time in the past year he was called to 109 Green St. to investigate a dog complaint.

The dog’s owner, Josh Davis, said Slaughter had stopped by for a visit to see how Davis’ son, Malachi, was doing. Malachi’s mom, Sara Havens, died Dec. 16.

But when Slaughter walked into the mobile home, the Staffordshire bull terrier got out through a hole in its cage. There also are two puppies in the home.

“They usually don’t act like that, unless it’s someone they don’t know or is wearing a hood,” Davis said. “If I had known that was going to happen and that he was walking down to see me, I would have met him outside.”

Slaughter ran back up the street to his home at 46 Green St. and then called police.

After speaking briefly with Slaughter while he was being treated by paramedics, officers called for Catlin and interviewed Davis.

Catlin cited Davis for three counts of failing to license a dog and one count of dog at large, all misdemeanors. Davis is scheduled to appear Jan. 10 in Zanesville Municipal Court.

Catlin informed Davis that if he purchases licenses for the dogs in the next couple of weeks, the judge would take that into consideration.

He said it seems as if there have been more dog complaints recently, but the frequency varies and many incidents are not reported.

“A lot of times, we’re not called, the victims don’t seek treatment or it happens after hours or on the weekend,” Catlin said. “Sometimes it will get turned over to the health department for more investigation.”

Catlin said he recalls being at the Davis’ residence before, after Davis was attacked and injured.

“He had a broken arm in two places and the dog attacked me,” Catlin said.

Police said the health department would be in contact with Davis because of the incident and the fact there are children living in the home.

(Zanesville Times Recorder - Dec 27, 2013)