Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – A walker and responding firefighter were attacked by a dog this afternoon. Around 5:40 p.m., officers were summoned to the area of Sunnymeade Drive and S. Rutland Road for a dog bite that had just occurred. While officers were en route, additional information was provided about the dog attempting to attack a child in the area of Sunnymeade Drive. After firefighters arrived to assist in treating the original female victim, the same dog attacked and bit a firefighter.
Further investigation revealed that a male dog, described as a 30 pound lab-mix, was loose from a home on Sunnymeade Drive with other dogs. A 27-year-old female, walking on the greenway, noticed the dogs in the street and feared they could be hit by a car. While the 27-year-old female attempted to get the group of dogs out of the roadway, she was attacked and bit on the leg and hand. An engine with Mt. Juliet Fire Department was dispatched to the scene to render aid to the victim. As firefighters approached the victim on foot, the dog spotted them and gave chase. A 51-year-old firefighter was bit on the leg as he was running back to the safety of the fire engine. The firefighter was transported by staff to Summit ER for care, and the 27-year-old female was treated by paramedics on the scene and released.
A resident in the home, where the dog was from, secured the dog inside the home after noticing it was loose prior to police arrival. Animal control responded to scene and took possession of the dog, which will be monitored in quarantine for a period of 10 days. Officers continue to investigate this incident to determine exactly why the dog was loose and who is responsible.
###