Crime & Safety
UC Police Seek Man, Dogs After Attack on Albany Girl
Police are looking for a man who identified himself as "Jason" after two dogs in his care attacked a 6-year-old girl in University Village on Thursday night. Scroll down for a complete description.
Click the "Keep me posted" button below this story for updates. This article originally was published Aug. 24 at 3:29 p.m.
Two dogs that appeared to be pit bull mixes attacked a 6-year-old girl in on Thursday night, sending her to the hospital.
The University of California Police Department is asking for the public's help in finding the man who was with the dogs, said Capt. Stephen Roderick.
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The man gave his name, to other community members after the attack, as "Jason." He was described as white and in his 40s, about 5 feet 10 inches tall with long brown hair. He was wearing jeans and a sweatshirt. Both dogs were described as medium-sized dark-colored pit bull mixes, said Roderick.
The captain said the girl had been with her younger brother in the when she left with him to use the restroom at nearby Fielding Field. (Both children are Village residents.)
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"She walked with brother to the soccer field. The two dogs ran toward her and started pulling her," said Roderick. "A subject was walking these two dogs off-leash. The dogs just ran over and, for some reason, went after the little girl."
A group of people playing soccer nearby heard the girl scream, ran over and pulled the dogs off of her, said the captain. She received bites to her head and legs.
"She was not in serious condition, but definitely needed medical attention," said Roderick.
paramedics took the girl by ambulance to Children's Hospital & Research Center in Oakland. Roderick said he believed she was treated and released.
Roderick said witnesses initially detained "Jason," but that he eventually left the area.
He said police are working to identify the man and get the dogs in for examination and testing for diseases.
Members of the public can call 510-642-6760 and advise the dispatcher that they have information regarding the possible identity of "Jason."
Police continue to follow up leads and are trying to track the man down through other means, said Roderick.
"We are still working it as we speak," he said. "We're following up some other leads. It's probably someone who lives near the area of University Village."
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