Dog attacked by larger dogs at Durand Eastman Park dies. What we know now

A dog died after it was attacked by a group of larger dogs Saturday morning in Durand Eastman Park, according to Rochester police.

Officers were called to a parking lot at the park around 10:50 a.m. after it was reported that three large dogs were fighting a smaller dog, said Capt. Adam Radens of the Rochester Police Department. Officers determined that a woman was walking her smaller dog unleashed at the same time a man walking three larger dogs attached to a makeshift rope leash without collars.

Radens said one of the large dogs broke free from its owner's makeshift rope leash and attacked the smaller dog. As the man attempted to retrieve his loose pet, his two other dogs also started attacking the smaller dog.

By the time the owner secured his dogs to a nearby tree, the smaller dog had died, Radens said.

As officers investigated the fatal encounter and the man attempted to move his three dogs into his vehicle, one of the dogs broke free and charged at the officers, causing an officer to fire his weapon. The dog was not struck by a bullet but did retreat. No one was struck by the bullet.

Rochester's Animal Control is investigating the incident and described all four dogs involved as "mixed breed dogs." City officials issued tickets to the large dog owner for "unrestrained dangerous dogs." More citations are pending, depending on dog licensing and registrations checks for both dog owners.

In the meantime, the large dogs are required to quarantine to be monitored for rabies, said city spokeswoman Barbara Pierce. The three dogs are being quarantined at the owner's home in Webster, she said.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Dog attacked by larger dogs at Durand Eastman Park dies