Man told dog to attack 9-year-old

NEBRASKA -- A 41-year-old Lincoln man was arrested Saturday after he instructed his dog to bite a 9-year-old boy, police said.

Lincoln Police Capt. Don Scheinost said police responded to a report of a domestic assault at Second and F streets at about 8:45  Saturday night.

A woman and 41-year-old Cedric Fowler were arguing when Fowler kicked the woman in the stomach, causing her to fall down a flight of 12 stairs, Scheinost said.

The woman's 9-year-old son tried to stop Fowler from hurting his mother. Scheinost said that's when Fowler instructed his dog to attack the boy.

"Get him, Webster," Fowler reportedly told his dog.

Webster bit the boy on his right hand, breaking the skin, Scheinost said.

The mother instructed the boy to call police, and he ran from the home and asked neighbors to call police.

Officers arrived the scene and arrested Fowler after a short foot pursuit. He was jailed on suspicion of felony child abuse, second-degree assault and use of a weapon to commit a felony.

The dog was taken by Animal Control.

(Journal Star - Oct 19, 2013)