The owner of a dog involved in a vicious attack in downtown Roanoke appeared in court on June 5, 2018, and faced charges.

Mark Roberts was ordered by the court to pay a $525 fine after being charged with having an unlicensed dog, allowing a dog to run at large, and failing to take steps and precautions as the dog’s owner to protect the public.

Roberts told police the dog ran out of his apartment when he opened the door.

Nearby, 34-year-old woman was pushing a stroller with a toddler inside it. Police said the dog advanced aggressively toward the woman and she picked up the child. The dog then bit the woman's arm, police said. A citizen tried to the assist the woman by striking the dog with his cane. Police said the dog then let the woman go and bit the citizen on the arm. A second citizen grabbed his collar while a third citizen began pepper-spraying the dog, police said. The dog temporarily released the second person's arm, and bit the shoe of the citizen who was holding its collar. Police said this citizen was not injured, and the dog continued to bite the second victim's arm.

The dog involved in downtown Roanoke attack had history of violence. The dog bit a man in December but the man did not wish to press charges.

The dog then broke free and ran into the street and aggressively a citizen who had a handgun. This person shot the dog twice, police said.

The victims who were bitten on the arm were taken to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment and released.

Virginia residents may not know that Virginia has a mechanism to inform the public about dangerous dogs that live in their area. The Virginia Dangerous Dog Registry is a public, searchable online database of dogs declared dangerous by local courts. It also serves as the mechanism by which local animal control officers must report dangerous dogs to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

If you or a loved one have been injured by a dog bite, please give us a call today to schedule a consultation with one of our personal injury attorneys.