A dog owner surrendered their dog to Durham authorities Thursday after an early morning attack left three family members injured.
According to the Durham Sheriff's Office, just before 3 a.m., residents on the 900 block of Main Street called 911 after a family reported that their dog had become aggressive after being "spooked" by something outside the residence. The family was unidentified in the press release.
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The family said that the dog was in a bedroom with the mom when her son entered the room. The dog attacked the son, biting him multiple times on the legs and arms.
The mother attempted to separate the two, but was bitten in the process. Another family member was similarly bitten during the incident.
The family was eventually able to secure themselves inside the bedroom, leaving the dog inside the main part of the house until emergency responders arrived. Durham Fire and DCSO Animal Services arrived shortly after.
The owner surrendered the dog to the county following the attack, which prompted a formal Dangerous Dog investigation by DCSO Animal Services. This process involves a thorough review of the incident, including the severity of the injuries sustained and whether the attack was unprovoked.
Under North Carolina law, a "Dangerous" or "Potentially Dangerous" designation can result in strict lifelong confinement requirements, mandatory liability insurance or humane euthanasia if the animal is deemed a persistent threat to public safety.
Once the investigation is complete, Animal Services will decide on the designation, and APS of Durham will determine the next steps for the dog.