Neighbor aids dog-bite victim
Man relates tale of pit bull's attack

Jorge Luna waits for perscription medicationThursday moring at Walgreens after being bitten by a pit bull earlier while walking to work. He was on his way to work when the dog attacked him, leaving deep wounds on both arms. [Photo by Daniel Zollinger/Independent]

By Leslie Wood
Staff Writer

GALLUP — A Gallup man sustained multiple deep cuts to his hands and wrists when he was attacked by a pit bull early Thursday morning. The dog attacked Jorge Luna as he was walking to work at Gallup Roofing along Carver Road at about 5 a.m.

The attack came without warning and was unprovoked, Luna said.

A McKinley County sheriff's deputy, who is a resident of the northside neighborhood, came to Luna's rescue when he witnessed the mauling and kept the dog at bay until emergency personnel arrived at the scene.

The dog then led three Gallup police officers and animal control officer Andrew Trujillo on a chase along Ninth Street for about an hour. Gallup police officers were given permission to shoot the animal, if it continued to pose a threat to the community and evade capture, but were unable to obtain a clear shot.

Trujillo said he apprehended the pit bull when it became stuck in a nearby fence. As the dog struggled, Trujillo was able to put a "choke pull" around the animal's neck and transport it to the northside animal shelter just off U.S. Highway 491 without further incident.

Gallup police ordered the animal shelter to keep custody of the dog until further notice due to its "vicious nature." The pit bull is currently under observation to make sure it is not infected with rabies. Meanwhile, Luna was taken to Rehoboth McKinley Christian Hospital for treatment of multiple bites and cuts on his arms. He was released from the emergency room about 10 a.m. and was instructed to return the hospital on Friday for a follow-up appointment. If his wounds display signs of infection, he will be admitted into the hospital for further treatment.

Luna spoke to The Independent through a Spanish speaking translator as he purchased medication for his wounds at the local Walgreens pharmacy. His medication cost about $120 in addition to a $289 emergency room visit. Luna will also miss at least two days of work at doctors' instruction.

Luna said he fought the dog's advances with a stick because he could not find a more useful weapon to defend himself.

"The dog came out of nowhere," Luna said.

Trujillo transported Luna from the hospital to Walgreens and back to his residence. Trujillo suspects the pit bull escaped from a residence on Wilson Avenue; however, officials are working to confirm the identities of the dog's owners through medical records at the various animal hospitals. The suspected owners were not at the residence at the time of the attack.

Trujillo said he has encountered the pit bull in question when he was called to the Wilson Avenue residence in reference to a fight between two dogs.

The dog's owners will be issued citations for failure to keep the dog enclosed, he said. Animal control responds to an average of 20 calls per month regarding dog bites.

If a dog attacks, Trujillo recommends residents remain as still as possible and the dog will lose interest.