Officers Take Dogs From Yard After Man Is Bitten

WINNETKA — A man was treated Wednesday for severe facial lacerations after being attacked by two dogs, authorities said.

“He’s going to require plastic surgery,” said Jackie David, spokeswoman for the Department of Animal Services for the city of Los Angeles.

Two dogs suspected in the attack--male and female German shepherds--were captured after officers followed them into the backyard of a Winnetka house in the 19700 block of Kittridge Street, where they presumably lived.

Officials did not identify the 48-year-old victim, who suffered one or more dog bites and was released from West Hills Hospital after treatment.

Officers believe the dogs had run out of the yard because the gate could not be closed properly.

Neither dog had been neutered, David said. “Animals not spayed or neutered are three times more likely to bite than animals who have been,” she added.

When the dogs were examined, only the male had blood on its muzzle, David said, which indicated its guilt and may exonerate the female dog.

Animal services is still trying to reach the dogs’ owner and will hold an administrative hearing to determine their fate.

“The male dog will probably be destroyed. The female dog will probably not be destroyed,” David said.

There were two other dogs in the backyard where the German shepherds were found.

“We’ve had previous complaints . . . about too many dogs on this property,” David said.

Animal services will continue to investigate whether any regulations were violated.