A dog that reportedly attacked a man in Ambleside Park earlier this month and put him in hospital may have bitten people before, according to police.
The 21-year-old victim was walking his own dog in the West Vancouver park on Oct. 5 when he encountered the German shepherd cross, which was off leash at the time, according to investigators. Believing the canine was going to attack his pet, the man intervened to protect it and was mauled as a result, said police. The dog bit the mans hands, feet and stomach in what investigators described as a sustained assault that only ended when the owner reportedly beat the dog back with a stick.
The victim was treated in hospital and released later that night.
West Vancouver police say they have since received information suggesting this was not the first time the dog had bitten someone. They are asking members of the public who saw the Oct. 5 incident or any other recent mauling in Ambleside to contact them at 604-925-7300.
The dog is in the care of the SPCA while the investigation is underway.
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