FALLS CHURCH, Va. — Police are searching for a dog and its owner after the animal reportedly bit an adult while on a pedestrian bridge in Falls Church Wednesday morning.
According to the City of Falls Church Police, the dog bit an adult around 9:30 a.m. on the bridge adjacent to Oak Street Elementary School in Howard E. Herman Stream Valley Park.
Investigators say the dog is described as medium to large with black fur and a longer snout. The owner is a man between 40 and 50 years old, wearing a dark jacket.
The dog reportedly bit the victim in the thigh and the owner stopped to briefly apologize before leaving in the direction of the school. The owner did not offer any information to the victim, police say.
If the dog is not found, the victim may have to undergo preventative medical measures against rabies. The rabies virus is transmitted through the saliva of infected animals. People are oftentimes infected after a deep bite or scratch. When it comes to humans contracting rabies, WHO says in up to 99% of cases the virus was transmitted to the human from a domestic dog.
If you have any information regarding this incident or the identity of the dog and its owner, please contact the City of Falls Church Animal Control Officer James Overholt at 703-248-5172 (TTY 711) or joverholt@fallschurchva.gov, or call the City of Falls Church Police Department Non-Emergency Line at 703-241-5053 (TTY 711).
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