WOODLAND HILLS, LOS ANGELES – A distressing incident unfolded at Warner Park in Woodland Hills as an unleashed dog viciously attacked two men on a Saturday afternoon, leaving them hospitalized with severe bite wounds. The search for the dog’s owner, who fled the scene, is now underway, as eyewitnesses recount the harrowing encounter that has highlighted the potential dangers of uncontrolled pets.
Emeterio Marroquin, a Chatsworth resident, recounted the terror he experienced as the unleashed dog targeted him with aggression. “He was trying to get my neck, so I’m like, ‘Hey, this dog is going to kill me!'” Marroquin revealed. Desperate to defend himself, he tried to disengage the dog’s bite, even attempting to choke the animal. However, the absence of a collar hindered his efforts to ward off the attack.
The alarming incident unfolded against the backdrop of the dog’s unleashed and collarless status. Marroquin’s struggle attracted the attention of Patricio Fuentes, who rushed to aid Marroquin upon hearing the owner’s frantic cries for assistance. Fuentes’s intervention prompted the dog to turn its aggression toward him, resulting in bite wounds to his chest and arm.
The ferocious assault finally ceased, with the dog returning to its owner’s side. In the aftermath, both Marroquin and Fuentes were rushed to the hospital to address their extensive bite injuries. Marroquin’s description of his pain underscored the severity of the ordeal, stating, “You could say from one to ten, like ten!”
The incident was captured on cellphone video, which the victims hope will aid in identifying the owner who promptly fled the scene after regaining control of the dog. Eyewitnesses reported the owner departing in a vehicle, evading the wait for law enforcement.
Authorities have described the dog as a white pit bull mix with distinctive black spots, weighing approximately 60 pounds. The incident has ignited concerns about public safety, particularly in shared spaces like parks, prompting both victims to emphasize the urgency of locating the dog and its owner.
Marroquin expressed concern for potential future victims, stating, “He was just crazy. Imagine if it was a kid who was attacked. Maybe he’s going to get killed.”
As the search intensifies for the elusive owner and the dog, the incident has shed light on the importance of responsible pet ownership, stringent leash regulations, and vigilant supervision to prevent similar unsettling encounters in the future.
