Dog bites police officer

Staff report

campbell

A police officer was bitten by a large-breed dog after it charged at him while he was on a call, police said.

Detective Sgt. Dave Taybus was bitten on his leg and foot before another officer shot the dog, about 11 a.m. Thursday, the report said.

His injuries were not serious, and he returned to work, police said.

The dog was either a great Dane or a Cane Corso, the report said.

Police said Taybus and Detective Sgt. John Rusnak went to a Fifth Street house to check on a complaint that there were people removing copper from the house.

While they were talking to the resident, the dog charged them, after the resident told the animal to go into the house, the report says.

The officers began to back away, but the dog kept coming and bit Taybus on the calf, and he also was knocked to the ground, the report said.

The dog came at him again while he was on his back, and he tried to push it away with his foot, and the dog bit his foot through his boot, the report said.

Taybus pushed the dog back, but it came at him again and Rusnak shot the dog in the chest, the report said. The dog backed off and went around the corner of the house, where officers later found it dead.

Humane officer Dave Nelson took the dog to the Mahoning County Department of Health for an evaluation.

Nelson could not be reached Friday to comment.