SFPD has released a request for the public's assistance in the case of a pit bull attack which took place in Golden Gate Park on Feb. 8th, shortly after 9:30am.

The owner or handler of the dog which attacked a man in the park fled the scene without providing her name and contact information to the victim, according to police, in violation of the law. 

According to police, the male victim was playing fetch with his dogs when an 80-pound male gray pit bull with a patch of white on his chest "approached him and attacked him while he was  bent over retrieving his dog’s ball in order to toss it."

From the police alert:

The dog bit the victim on the right calf which placed him off balance where he landed on the ground. The dog was now facing the victim who put up his left arm to defend himself and the dog clamped down on his forearm. The victim began punching the dog in an attempt to get  the dog to release its bite and that’s when the dog then bit his right forearm. The unknown owner/handler was finally able to gain control of the dog and stop the pressed attack.

The dog's handler, described as a Hispanic or white woman, standing 5’3”-5’6”, weighing around 200 lbs., and with short black hair and thin-framed rectangular eyeglasses, assured the victim that she wouldn’t leave before providing identification and ensuring rabies information  was provided, according to police. She then fled the scene in a white 2006 Ford Explorer with a license plate ending with "B694."

If you have information about the suspect, police ask that you contact Sgt. Sherry Hicks of the Vicious and Dangerous Dog Unit by calling (415) 558-5524, or emailing [email protected].