FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – A pit bull and boxer mix attacked a 76-year-old pizza delivery man in Palm Coast Thursday evening, according to the Flagler County Sheriff's Office.
Deputies said the victim, who works for Napoli Pizza, was delivering an order to a home on Perkins Lane around 6 p.m. and when the customer opened the door, the 5-year-old pit bull-boxer mix squeezed through her legs and jumped on the victim.
"I went to open the door to go get the pizza and the dog pushed on the side of me and jumped at him," the dog's owner is heard saying in a 911 call.
Body camera video showed the man had blood dripping down the right side of his face when authorities arrived. In the 911 call, the dog's owner is heard telling the dispatcher that the victim was bleeding from his mouth and his cheek and saying his "lip is bit up."
The dog's owner said she was unsure if the 70-pound dog, named Charlie, used his paws or his teeth to cause the injuries, according to the report.
The victim was taken to Halifax Hospital in Daytona Beach for treatment. The extent of his injuries is unknown. In the 911 call, the victim is heard speaking. The dog's owner is heard telling dispatch that the victim was not having difficulty breathing.
"I'm so sorry," the owner is heard saying.
The owner said the dog has only been publicly aggressive on one other occasion, during which he bit another dog. The woman also provided proof that the dog had received a rabies shot earlier this year.
"The dog has shown aggression about three years ago against another dog. It was a bite but (the dog) was not formerly declared dangerous at that time. We're going to be looking at whether or not this dog should be declared dangerous because of this particular bite," said Cindi Lane, a spokesperson for the City of Palm Coast.
If the dog is declared dangerous, the owner would have to keep a muzzle and leash on him when he is out in public.
Palm Coast Animal Control took custody of the dog so he could be placed in a 10-day quarantine.
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly warned pet owners to stay cautious.
"With Halloween approaching, if you think your pet could be spooked or become aggressive, please secure your pet before opening the door," he said.
Deputies said the owner will not face criminal charges.