Man dog attacked by dog resembling pit bull in Washington Township

On a public Bruce Township Facebook page, Fara Saputo posted that her cousin, Tim Smith, and his dog, Charlie, a Havenese mix, were allegedly attacked by a black and white pit bull-like dog that got away from its owner after 1 p.m. Jan. 6 near Gilcher Park on 29 Mile Road.

Smith, 67, and the dog were walking at Gilcher Park, near 29 Mile and Campground Road, when Saputo said Smith and Charlie were mauled by the pit bull-like dog.

Smith’s hands were badly chewed and Charlie was mauled during the incident, said Dan O’Leary, supervisor of Washington Township.

The woman was driving a beige, tan or light brown small SUV, similar to an Aspen or an Equinox, O’Leary said.

Saputo wrote that Smith tried to shield Charlie from the pit bull-type dog by lying on him.

According to the Macomb County Sheriff’s media report, Smith asked the owner of the pit bull-like dog to report the incident and she offered to follow Smith back in her vehicle to his residence so the incident could be reported.

The report stated that instead of following behind Smith, the woman got into her car and left the scene instead.

Smith was treated by Washington Township fire personnel. He declined being transported to a hospital but did later seek additional medical treatment for his bitten hands, according to the report.

Smith described the owner of the dog as an approximately 60-year-old white woman who wore a multicolored coat.