Dog nearly kills Grover Beach man, elderly woman

December 15, 2016
A Belgian Malinois puppy

A Belgian Malinois puppy

A 64-year-old Grover Beach man and his next-door neighbor, an 86-year-old woman, are reportedly lucky to be alive following a vicious dog attack Tuesday. David Fear is critically injured and at risk of losing both of his hands, while Betty Long suffered a broken pelvis and a broken shoulder. [KSBY]

The dog attacked Fear outside his home on Nacimiento Avenue. The dog then turned on Long, and Fear reportedly helped save the elderly woman’s life. Long is being described as a hero.

San Luis Obispo County Animal Services has confirmed the attack occurred. Eric Anderson, the director of Animal Services, said the dog was a 2-year-old Belgian Malinois, a breed often trained as K9 officers. The owner surrendered the dog, and the animal was euthanized later on Tuesday.

Animal Services personnel are still investigating the incident. Investigators are trying to determine if more dogs were involved, and Animal Services wants to fully evaluate what led up to the attack, Anderson said.

Ron Yukelson, of Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center, said Fear is currently in the hospital’s intensive care unit.

Fear suffered serious dog bites to his stomach and arms. The bites severed two arteries in his arms, Fear’s brother, Steve Fear said. Steve Fear also said his brother lost six pints of blood and developed an infection from the bites.

The whole hospital is saying David Fear is a hero, his brother said.

In addition to suffering a broken pelvis and a broken shoulder, Long has staples in her head as a result of falling, relatives of the 86-year-old woman said. She also has dog bites on her body.

Grover Beach police would not comment on the incident, referring questions instead to Animal Services. The dog’s owner was said to be out of town.


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AGPD website says they have two.


How horrible.


I truly hope that this man recovers. Imagine losing even one hand, let alone both hands.


I’m not going to assume the circumstances that led to this dog being uncontrolled by the owner. It could be negligence, it could have been a simple mistake. The UPS guy left my gate open today, and when I let my dog out front, he could have went out had I not seen the gate open.


Just sad.


I left some loaded weapons out in my front yard. Gee, I hope they don’t hurt anyone.


Consider euthanizing the dog’s owner as well.


This is so so sad and I wish the best for the elderly people who were attacked.I do not know how the dog was raised so I can’t make a judgement on why the dog did what he did. Dogs are a mans best friends but like people there is always a born or made bad apple. To many dogs start out good but unfortunately are sometimes influenced to be bad by their owners which I’m not saying is the case here. I hope neither one of the victims will have to go into debt to pay for the medical bills and trauma it has been put on them.


How do you get an infection in less than 48 hours?


The oral cavities of dogs and cats are teeming with a bacteria called Pasteurella multicida. One of the features of Pasteurella infections is the onset of symptoms within 24 hours.


Better get some knowledge. Animal bites can become infected within hours. And fatal within 48 hours. Google it.


The irony here being, if you checked back and read the above replies, you got an education within 48 hours…


To Cal Coast News editorial staff:

You printed that Eric Anderson said the dog was a 2-year-old Belgian Malinois. The picture you include appears to be a puppy not more than four months old. This is *not* a good representation of the dog that allegedly attacked and critically injured the two victims.


Under photo it reads (A Belgian Malinois puppy)


Yeah, that dog in the photo is WAAAAY too cute to be vicious… ;-)


Ok so this dog was owned by a Grover Beach police Officer and neighbors are saying the Dog is a K-9 Officer to.The story is very vague and a cover up !!


The account [above] reads: “Eric Anderson, the director of Animal Services, said the dog was a 2-year-old Belgian Malinois, a breed often trained as K9 officers.”


It does *not* say the Belgian Malinois was owned by any police officer nor that this Belgian Malinois was a K-9 officer.


longboedterrie is 90% correct. More details will eventually become public. Eric Anderson is withholding information.


Your info. is fragmented. Sheriff press release, yes A.G. officers dogs BUT personal pets and before you keep screaming coverup, A.G. doesn’t have police dogs.


Horrible and so preventable. Our shelters are filled with abandoned dogs (about 20-40 % pit bulls) that were surrendered by irresponsible pet owners. They don’t have enough sense to grasp what a long term commitment and training it involves, after buying a cute puppy. It will be interesting to find out the history of the dogs owner.


PS, CCN, You know I love you man! Feel the love…. but, that adorable puppy graphic for vicious dog mauling? Sense of humor or ???


And that is why they have a nickname of Malagators