FRIDAY: Man mauled by 3 pit bulls in suburban Rochester (1:14 p.m.)

Associated Press

August 29, 2008 01:14 pm

— CHILI, N.Y. (AP) — Three pit bulls attacked a 70-year-old pedestrian in a Rochester suburb early Friday, knocking him over, biting his face and forcing passing motorists to use their vehicles to shield him from further harm.
The victim, Thomas Tziatzou, had surgery for face wounds that were not considered life threatening, said sheriff’s spokesman Cpl. John Helfer.
Tziatzou was attacked while walking along a street in the suburb of Chili at about 5 a.m. A motorist told police he initially thought the dogs were pulling a garbage bag from the curb, then realized it was a person, Helfer said.
The motorist said he used his car in an attempt to chase the dogs away and other passers-by followed suit, surrounding the injured man with their vehicles to keep the dogs at bay, Helfer said.
Sheriff’s deputies located the dogs’ owner, who called off the animals. It remained unclear how they got loose, Helfer said, adding that the owner could be charged.