Oregon police dog mistakenly bites wrong man while intruder flees

Associated Press

Last update: November 9, 2009 - 2:30 PM

EUGENE, Ore. - A Eugene man fighting a home intruder to defend his mother and young children was bitten by a police dog after officers mistook him for the prowler they had been chasing through the neighborhood. Tim Crossan told The Register-Guard he broke his hand on the intruder's face during the fight, just before police burst in and sent the dog after him.

The 39-year-old father of three told the Eugene newspaper the dog bit through his left calf before clamping down on his thigh and then his left buttock.

The intruder, meanwhile, escaped and Crossan said he is upset that police have not offered him an apology for the bites that landed him in the hospital overnight earlier this week.

Eugene Police Chief Pete Kerns on Friday said the incident was "unfortunate" but praised Crossan for defending his home, calling his actions "heroic."

___

Information from: The Register-Guard, http://www.registerguard.com

Recent Nation stories

US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,365 Tuesday, according to Associated Press count - November 9, 2009

US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,365 Tuesday, according to Associated Press count - As of Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009, at least 4,365 members of the U.S. military had died in the Iraq war since it began in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count. More