Dog Quarantined After Biting Animal Control Officer

A Beaumont Animal Control Officer is recovering from minor injuries after a pit bulldog ran from a home and attacked him.

While the officer is recovering, the dog remains under observation to make sure it does not have rabies.

On a normal day animal control officer Matthew Fortenberry picks up animals that have been mistreated, malnourished or are no longer wanted, and brings them back to the shelter.

Beaumont Animal Control Officer Matthew Fortenberry says, "I've had dogs try to bite me, try to attack me, but I've always been prepared because I normally see the dog first and can take appropriate measures."

Fortenberry says on Tuesday, appropriate measures would not have stopped a pit bull from running out of a house and attacking him.

"I didn't know the dog was there, I was dealing with the owner and the dog came out of nowhere," says Fortenberry.

He was responding to a call from a mail carrier that claimed three pit bulls were trying to attack her. When he arrived he saw one go inside, and decided to talk to the owner.

"I've never seen a dog jump that high. It actually bit me on the chest, luckily it didn't get my face," says Fortenberry.

But no matter how minor, any injury to an animal control officer will force investigators to place the animal in quarantine so it can be checked for rabies.

Fortenberry says he's never had an experience quite like this, but he's glad he was at the door and not a child.

"A small child, this dog would've pushed to the ground and no telling what would have happened," says Fortenberry.

And it's back to work with these puppies, whose whine is far less intimidating.

Dogs that bite animal control officers are held for ten days in rabies quarantine at the animal shelter in Beaumont.

The owners can pick up the animals if it is determined the pets are not infected.