An elderly East Side man is hoping the owner of the dog that bit him last week will step forward so he can avoid getting rabies shots that may have a negative interaction with medication he is taking.
The man’s wife, Sharon Sowle, said 72-year-old Don Sowle was taking the trash out Wednesday morning when a dog being walked by three people attacked him outside his home near South Harrison Road and East 29th Street.
Sowle was bitten on the left arm and along the waistline on the left side of his body, his wife said.
Don Sowle said the three people with the dog did nothing to help him and walked away after he fought off the dog.
Sowle was taken to a hospital to have his injuries treated.
The dog is described as large, possibly a chow mixed with a Rottweiler, with brown, tan and white markings.
Sowle is taking antibiotics to combat a staph infection he contracted when he had a knee implant in his left leg.
Sharon Sowle said doctors are concerned that the antibiotics combined with the rabies vaccine may cause a drug interaction.
“If we had some peace of mind that the animal was licensed and had shots, we’d feel better,” Sowle said.
She and other relatives, along with members of the Tucson Street Rod Association, of which Don Sowle is a member, are circulating fliers with a description of the dog.
Pima Animal Care Center officials are also looking for the animal, said Jayne Cundy, public services supervisor with the center.
“We are aware of it and we are looking but we haven’t found it yet,” she said.
She said the owners could be cited for a leash law violation and for having a biting animal.
The dog must be evaluated by PACC officials to determine if it is a dangerous animal, she said.
The rabies vaccine must be administered within 10 days of the incident, Cundy said.
Cundy said anyone with information about the dog can call the center at 243-5900.