SAN TAN VALLEY, Ariz. - Rural/Metro Fire Department officials say they are treating two boys who were attacked by a dog Thursday morning in San Tan Valley, Arizona.
It happened before 8 a.m. near Ocotillo and Kenworthy roads.
Fire officials say the boys are 5 and 8 years old.
One has injuries to his leg. The other boy was bit on the face.
Marco Lizarraga was on his way to work, constructing a new neighborhood. He said he spotted trouble right away.
"When I seen the dog attacking one of the kids," said Lizarrago. "I came right up to the scene and I started honking at him."
He briefly distracted the dog and was ready to take other measures if necessary.
"He wanted to come back for more blood," said Lizarraga. "I was waiting for him to try to attack again, and I was going to run him over. I said, you know what? It's either the kids or the dog."
Both kids were rushed to local hospitals.
Fire investigators say the dog was taken in.
"To make sure it doesn't have rabies, make sure it's not aggressive and see if they can return it back to the family," said Shawn Gilleland of Rural/Metro.
The owner said the dog is an 8-month-old Labrador who has never displayed aggressive behavior before.
"I'm not sure what made him snap or bite the kids," said Kenneth Smirke. "He's never shown signs of aggression in the past."
Smirke said he is willing to take the help the families of the victim's financially and to take his dog to obedience training.
