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| Disabled car of DUI suspect, 29 Road just south of Patterson Road. |
DUI Suspect Arrested, Dog Attacks Deputy
Updated Information, Released at 2:30 p.m. on November 11, 2014...
The original call for deputies to the area of 29 and Patterson Roads, late last night, was for a possibly restraining order violation. That ultimately was unfounded, but deputies were able to contact an adult male fleeing from a crashed car that matched a reckless driver reported to dispatch to be in the same area. The suspect is identified as 24-year-old, Joseph McMillan.Joseph was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and other traffic related infractions. He was ultimately released to a sober adult on a summons to appear in court and was not formally booked into the Mesa County Detention Facility, although the summons to appear in court is considered a non-custodial arrest (as the formal action).
The deputy, bitten by the dog last night is Deputy Ben Lawrence, who was seen and treated overnight for a non-life threatening dog bite at an area hospital. He was scheduled to work a patrol shift tonight, but will be off for continued assessment of the injury.
Mesa County Animal Control has taken possession of the dog and will get testing done on it for disease(s) such as rabies, etc. Animal Control reports they have had no previous interaction with the dog's owner or the dog, associated with the overnight incident.
The dog has been described as an intact male, 3 to 5 year old shepherd mix (not a pitbull or pure breed dog). As for vicious or uncontrolled dog related charges against the dog's owner, at this time, Animal Control will conduct a thorough investigation and assessment. Upon that investigation, they will/can determine charges as appropriate.
Previously Released Information...
Mesa County, Colo. -- A complaint of a vehicle driving erratically in the parking lot of Safeway, at 29 and Patterson Roads, as well as behind the business and possibly south onto Dawn Drive, brought deputies to the area around 9:20 p.m. The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle made an attempt to run from deputies when they contacted him behind the Safeway store a few minutes before 10 p.m., tonight.
When the driver exited the disabled car (his erratic driving had blown a front tire and the engine was smoking), a medium size dog immediately rushed a deputy in an aggressive and threatening manner, biting him in the upper thigh. The deputy was forced to discharged his duty weapon, neutralizing the immediate threat of danger to the deputy, which resulted in the death of the dog.
The driver of the car was arrested on charges related to drunk driving and is expected to complete the booking process overnight. The deputy is currently being treated at an area hospital for non-life threatening injuries sustained from the dog biting him. The DUI suspect and the dog's owner, told deputies on-scene the dog was not current on vaccinations. The dog will be taken to a local veterinarian facility for disease testing.
The DUI suspect will be identified after he is booked into the Mesa County Detention Facility and further updates on the deputy's condition will be provided as appropriate.
