Man stabs family dog to halt attack that injured 3 people in home, California cops say

A family dog injured three people at a home before a man stabbed it to halt the attack, California authorities told news outlets.

The incident took place inside a Norwalk home at about 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department told KNBC.

A dog attacked a man and woman at a family gathering, officials told KTLA. A second man, who also was hurt, stabbed the dog, which later died, to halt the attack, deputies said.

The injured had bite wounds to the face, arms and legs, officials told KTTV.

All three were taken to hospitals, KTLA reported.

Norwalk is about a 15-mile drive southeast from downtown Los Angeles.

What to know about dog attacks

“Dog bites can cause pain, injury, and spread germs that cause infection,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. “Nearly 1 in 5 people bitten by a dog requires medical attention.”

Dogs bite more than 4.5 million people each year in the U.S., and nearly 800,000 of those people need medical attention, according to the CDC.

Any dog can bite if they feel scared or nervous, or if they want to be alone. You should never approach a dog that seems angry or scared, the CDC said.

If an unfamiliar dog comes up to you, officials say you should:

• Stay calm and be still.

• Avoid eye contact with the dog.

• Don’t panic or make loud noises. Don’t run.

• Say “no” or “go home” in a deep voice. Stand with the side of your body toward the dog.

• Slowly raise your hands to your neck and back away slowly.

This story was originally published December 16, 2024 at 2:36 PM with the headline "Man stabs family dog to halt attack that injured 3 people in home, California cops say."