OCP photo
By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor
PENTWATER TOWNSHIP — A walk along the Lake Michigan shoreline near the Oceana-Mason county line turned into a harrowing ordeal for a 40-year-old Richmond, Va. man when he was attacked by two German shepherds Monday evening, May 25.
A sheriff’s deputy who arrived on scene was forced to shoot one of the dogs due to its aggression, said Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast.
The man received several scratches and bite wounds and sought medical treatment at an area hospital after being evaluated by Life EMS at the scene. The dogs ripped his pants off his legs during the attack. “His pants were torn right from his body,” said Sheriff Mast.
The other dog, which was a female, was returned to its owner. The owner, who is a 63-year-old Pentwater man, was cited by the deputies for allowing animals to run at large.
“Our deputies were dispatched to a report that a man was being attacked by two German shepherds,” said Sheriff Mast. “The caller reported that the dogs were biting at his pants, and the dogs were following him.”
When deputies arrived, they found the man in chest-deep water of Lake Michigan, which is presently 46 degrees. The man went in the water in an attempt to stay away from the attacking dogs.
“The deputies called the dogs away from the victim. He had several lacerations and bite marks on his arms and legs.”
The dogs exited the water and approached the deputies. “The larger male dog became aggressive and showed his teeth and growled at the deputy. He then began to aggressively bark at the deputy and continue to show his teeth.” They continued to get closer to the deputy with the larger male dog leading. “The larger dog then lunged at the deputy, and he was forced to fire his weapon to defend himself and the victim, shooting and killing the dog.”
Oceana County Animal Control assisted at the scene.
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