This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Police arrested a Salt Lake City man after he allegedly ordered his pit bull to attack a man in a wheelchair.
Salt Lake City police spokesman Josh Ashdown said the 25-year-old suspect was in Salt Lake County jail Wednesday, being held without bail on suspicion of third-degree felony aggravated assault.
The incident occurred about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at 1810 S. Main Street. Ashdown said the suspect and the victim, a 57-year-old man in a motorized wheelchair, had been arguing over usage of minutes on a cellphone and some other issues. When arrested, the suspect claimed he ordered his pit bull to attack because the victim had been chasing him with his wheelchair.
The victim sustained numerous, serious bites to the arms and torso. He remained in serious condition Wednesday in a local hospital, but was expected to recover, Ashdown said.
The dog was impounded by city animal control officers pending further investigation.
Ashdown said there was no indication from arresting officers that alcohol had been involved in the incident.remims@sltrib.com