Florida: Second dog attack on a Hernando deputy within days

FLORIDA -- For the second time in a matter of days, a dog attacked a Hernando County deputy. Both times, the dogs bit deputies who were on the job. But fortunately the injuries were minor.

Last week’s case happened Wednesday on River Road in Spring Hill.

The Tampa Bay Times reports that Sgt. Dustin Mormando responded to a home in the 9600 block of River Road in Spring Hill about 11 a.m. after a man called, complaining that a neighbor's dog had attacked his own dog.

When Mormando walked toward the house, the caller's dog - a German Shepherd - charged at the deputy, who tried to retreat to his patrol car, according to the Sheriff's Office.

But the dog caught up to Mormando and bit him in the right thigh. The deputy then fired shots at the dog, which was not hit and ran back to its owner. The deputy was treated by a doctor for dog bite wounds, the Sheriff's Office said.

Before Mormando arrived, the caller had shot at the neighbor's dog (reported to be a Pit Bull) after it attacked his own. The dog that was shot was taken to a veterinarian to be treated for critical injuries, according to the Sheriff's Office.

The Sheriff’s Office said Sunday’s attack involved a Siberian Husky and was also in Spring Hill.

The dog was running loose away from its nearby home. The deputy was able to kick at the dog to scare it away.

“Well the deputies try to use the least amount of force needed to control every situation including a dog that’s vicious. I had one individual tell me a short time ago that he was being approached by a dog and he pepper sprayed it and it had no effect on it,” said Denise Moloney, Hernando Sheriff’s Office spokesperson

Pepper spray can be ineffective unless you get a direct shot. I've read that if the dog is already agitated and you don't get a direct shot to incapacitate it and merely get a light, ineffective hit to the dog, you risk making it even more aggressive. Also, there's a danger of blow-back - the spray getting in your face and incapacitating you. A licensed gun carry permit is best.

The Sheriff’s office said everyone would be much safer, if people looked after their dogs and kept them inside or on a leash.

The owners of the dogs that bit the deputies are facing citations.

(RNRF Online - June 5, 2017)