David Ruiz is being called a hero. He broke up a vicious attack and saved a 69-year-old man from the jaws of a pit bull. "He was trying to save his dog and the other dog was biting his arm," Ruiz said.
The attack happened Tuesday night near Crenshaw and Westgate in Visalia. Police say the elderly man was walking his dog when 2 pit bulls escaped from a neighbor's back yard.
Sergeant Amy Watkins said, "They located the victim and proceeded to attack the victim and his animal."
Ruiz heard the man's cries and ran over to help. He says one of the pit bulls ran away but the other stayed to fight. "I wrestled with the dog and punched it in the head... did whatever I could to get it to let go." He added, "It came back and attacked the same dog again so I had to do it all over again."
Other neighbors also helped. One called police while another grabbed the victim's dog and put in in the back of a truck. Ruiz says it was a bloody mess when it was all over. "He (the elderly man) was laying half way on the curb, half way on the street bleeding."
The man was treated at the hospital for a severe bit to the forearm and his dog is recovering from surgery. Ruiz says he's seen the pit bulls before but they have never caused any problems.
"I know they can be good dogs, they just have to be taken care of... if you neglect them or don't take care of them... stuff like this can happen," Ruiz said.
Animal Control says the dogs are vicious and could be euthanized. They are being held until the owner can prove otherwise.
At this point, the owner isn't facing any criminal charges.
TXT 24
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