Reporter: Attacking Pit Bull 'Made Beeline To Me'

LOUISVILLE -- A local newspaper reporter who thought he was pulling up to help someone in a traffic accident became a victim himself moments later.

Video

Louisville Man Describes Incident

---

Discussion: Protective Pets Or Vicious Animals?

---

Peter Smith, a reporter for the Courier-Journal, was among three victims of a pit bull attack in the 3500 block of Nanz Avenue, near St. Matthews, Wednesday.

"There was a Metro Louisville truck that was stopped, and it wasn't moving, so I passed around it," Smith said. "And when I looked in, I saw the driver's face and head were just covered with blood."

Smith thought the man was in an accident, but he was an animal control officer who'd just been attacked by the pit bull, WLKY NewsChannel 32's Stephanie Segretto reported.

"Before I even got to the truck, a woman pointed to the dog and said that dog just bit two people, and the dog looked at me and made a beeline to me," Smith said.

The dog bit Smith's legs and arms, then lunged for his neck. Smith said he did whatever he could to try to fight it off.

"I was kicking and running, and at one point I grabbed one of the big Metro Louisville waste barrels and threw it just to keep (the dog) away from me," Smith said. "That worked for maybe a second."

Smith said the animal control officer pulled his truck forward to distract the dog, allowing Smith to get away, Segretto reported.

"I could owe my life to that animal control officer for what he did, even though he was in such terrible condition," Smith said.

Smith then hurried to his own car to wait for an ambulance. Despite the attack, Smith said the experience won't affect his opinion of dogs or pit bulls in particular.

"I guess (I feel) the same way I felt about them before," he said. "It depends on the dog and the dog owner, I guess."

The dog is at Animal Control, and eventually will be euthanized, Segretto reported.

Smith said he hates to see that happen to any animal, but added that it's pretty clear this dog knows how to attack and could do it again.

The animal control officer suffered bites to his arm, face and head, but was released from a local hospital Wednesday night. He's expected to need further treatment, Segretto reported.

A 16-month-old boy also was attacked, but his condition is not available.

Please follow WLKY NewsChannel 32 and TheLouisvilleChannel.com for updates to this story as they become available.