People in the South Bay are hoping an injured pit bull gets the medical care it needs after a bizarre attack at St. James Park.
Police say the dog, named "Chica," is in need of several stitches after a homeless man used a handsaw to hurt the dog over the weekend.
The attack happened Sunday. Animal Control said a man got off a bus near the park and began having an agitated conversation with the dog's owner.
Witnesses say the man tried to attack the owner and the dog stepped in to protect her. In the chaos, the pit bull bit the homeless man, who then used the saw on the dog, leaving two deep gashes on her head.
"He was provoking this reaction. It’d be one thing if you were sitting on a bench and got attacked, but that wasn’t this scenario, He was clearly acting in a provoking manner," Jon Cicirelli said.
A group of men who saw the attack kicked and punched the homeless man and restrained him until police could get to the scene.
The dog is expected to be OK, but police say no one has the money to pay the $600 for the dog's stitches.
San Jose Animal Care is working with the police investigation and hope that the suspect will face an animal cruelty charge.Those charges may be delayed because the suspect was also in need of medical care.
Anyone who wants to help pay for Chica's medical care can make out a check to the San Jose Animal Care Center. Be sure to write "Chica" in the memo line.
Checks may be mailed to:
San Jose Animal Care Center
2750 Monterey Rd.
San Jose, CA 95111
Or go to SanJoseAnimals.com and click "Donations." Again, be sure to mention "Chica."
Photo Credit: Kris Sanchez