Pit bull injures Davenport police officer

IOWA -- A Davenport police officer was injured Wednesday after he was bitten by a pit bull terrier while responding to a call of a loose dog.

Officer Roberto Luna, 39, an eight-year veteran of the department, was bitten on the left leg by the dog and required 11 stitches to close the wound.

The incident occurred at 9:22 p.m., Police Officer Brenton Shipman said.

Shipman said he and Luna responded to a loose dog call at 920 E. 6th St. According to the report, the dog had chased the occupant of the home.

While responding to the call, Shipman said the dog ran in front of the squad car and went through the gate at 909 E. 6th St.

Luna got out of the squad car to shut the gate; after asking an occupant of the home if she had the dog under control.

“Apparently, she didn’t because the dog got loose (from the owner) and jumped over the gate, a standard-size three-foot chain link fence,” Shipman said.

The dog, which is 16-months-old, then bit Luna and then jumped back over the gate to go to the house.

Luna was taken to Genesis Medical Center-East Rusholme Street, Davenport, for treatment and will be off duty for about the next 10 days.

Shipman said Animal Control took the dog into custody, adding that the family indicated it wants the animal put down.

(QC Times - Mar 28, 2014)