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SALT LAKE CITY — A man was arrested Tuesday after he allegedly ordered his dog to attack a man in an electric wheelchair.
The man and an acquaintance got into an argument over cellphones, keys and cigarettes about 5:30 p.m. in a parking lot at 1810 S. Main, Salt Lake police officer Josh Ashdown said. The man in the wheelchair allegedly began chasing the man with the dog.
"He felt threatened by this and he commanded the dog to attack him, which the dog did," Ashdown said.
The dog — a pit bull — bit the man in the wheelchair on the arm, causing a severe laceration. He also caused several puncture wounds to the man's torso.
The suspect fled from the scene, but was later tracked down at the Alta Motel, 1899 S. State, and was arrested without incident, Ashdown said. Aaron Ray Thomas, 25, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of aggravated assault.
His dog was impounded. Ashdown said it is not clear whether it will be quarantined or put down.
Salt Lake County Animal Services director April Harris said if the allegations are true, it's unfortunate that the owner caused the situation.
"Who will suffer from this? The animal, not the owner," she said.
Contributing: John Daley
