71-year-old High Springs resident critically injured in dog attack
Press release from the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office
ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla. – On Saturday, January 24, 2026, at approximately 7:07 p.m., Alachua County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded alongside Alachua County Fire Rescue to a report of a 71-year-old High Springs resident who was actively being attacked by a dog.
The first deputy arrived on scene within minutes and observed the dog actively attacking the victim. The dog had already bitten its owner, who attempted to intervene and stop the attack. As the deputy worked to physically remove the dog from the victim, the dog turned on the deputy and began biting them. The deputy discharged his service weapon to incapacitate the dog and stop the ongoing attack. The dog withdrew from the encounter, and the deputy immediately began rendering aid to the critically injured victim.
Deputies applied multiple tourniquets in an effort to control significant blood loss. Alachua County Fire Rescue paramedics arrived shortly thereafter and assumed medical care. Alachua County Sheriff’s Office deputies, along with officers from the High Springs Police Department, Alachua Police Department, and Gainesville Police Department, worked together to block roadways and intersections to ensure the victim was transported as quickly as possible to UF Health Shands Trauma Center.
The victim survived the attack and was last reported to be in stable condition. Doctors at UF Health confirmed that the prompt application of tourniquets by responding deputies undoubtedly saved the victim’s life.
The dog involved in the incident died as a result of the gunshot wound.
Alachua County Sheriff’s Office detectives and forensic investigators responded to the scene to conduct an investigation. Alachua County Animal Control also responded and took possession of the dog.
The injured deputy was treated at a local hospital and later released. The dog owner, who is the adult daughter of the victim, sustained minor injuries during the incident.
Sheriff Scott wants to personally thank the deputies who worked to save the victim’s life, as well as the many law enforcement agencies that came together to ensure paramedics had the greatest possible opportunity to provide lifesaving care.
Bravo to the first responders! I hope victim recovers quickly.
“The dog had already bitten its owner, who attempted to intervene and stop the attack.”
Wonder how many times that had happened before this incident and was ignored. There are no bad dogs, just bad owners.
Sad that happened. Sad that three people were injured including a deputy. Hopefully everyone will make a full recovery. I am curious to the breed of the animal. But I’m sure that will come out soon enough.
I was charged by a stray pit mix about a week ago. The mongrel was intent on killing my 10-pound Chihuahua. I picked up my dog, and pulled my .380 [the first time in 35 years of concealed carry] and challenged the dog. It stopped in its tracks and reconsidered. The shouting, unafraid man with a weapon in his hand was perceived as not worth the investment. No shot fired, but I would have smoked that idiot dog in a minute. I wish I did not have to carry, but I do.