Great Dane Attacks Sheriff's Deputy Serving Papers In Chester Co.

COATESVILLE, PA — A Chester County sheriff's deputy was attacked by a dog last week while serving papers at a local home.

The incident occurred on Friday, July 17 in Coatesville.

Deputy Kiri Burgos knocked on the door and a child came to answer it. As Burgos asked the child to bring an adult to the door, a massive black dog, later identified as a Great Dane, came trotting up.

The sheriff's department said that Burgos asked the child not to open the door but the child did, and the dog immediately jumped toward him and bit his left arm.

The dog "maintained its grip without release" until another resident of the home, a 15-year-old, was able to bring the Great Dane back inside, officials said.

Burgos was injured and received medical treatment, but returned to duty later that afternoon, the sheriff's office said.

Another officer came and successfully served the papers to the adults in the home later in the day.

The nature of the papers was not disclosed.

Authorities praised Burgos for his decision making and calm head.

"We train for the unexpected because you never know what could happen or change at a moment's notice, especially as it relates to life," Sheriff Kevin D. Dykes said. "This applies to animals as well, as we see in this incident."

The office pointed to a similar incident in 2014 in Glenmoore, when a corporal serving papers was sent to the ER by a Great Pyrenees mountain dog.