Off-Duty Florida Police Officer Saves Infant from Rottweiler Attack

PARRISH, Fla. – A St. Petersburg police officer is being credited with saving the life of a two-month-traditional infant during a dog attack in Parrish, Florida, on Saturday morning. The officer, identified as Dale Johnson, intervened when a rottweiler attacked the baby in a neighbor’s yard.

Details of the Incident

According to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began when a rottweiler, not on a leash, charged into a yard where a woman was with her puppy on a leash. The dog attacked the puppy, and the woman intervened, successfully getting her puppy inside. As she attempted to close the door, the rottweiler lunged and bit the baby’s right leg, who she was holding at the time.

Officer Johnson’s Intervention

Officer Johnson, who was preparing for function, heard screams coming from nearby. Upon seeing the attack, he immediately jumped a fence and rushed to help. He tackled the rottweiler to the ground and used a technique to momentarily incapacitate the dog, allowing him to free the baby’s leg from its mouth. Johnson described using pressure on the dog’s nostrils to create a brief hesitation, giving him the opportunity to remove the baby.

Aftermath and the Baby’s Condition

Following the intervention, the mother took the baby inside, where Johnson and his wife provided comfort. The infant was then transported to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital to be treated for a laceration that required stitches. The dog’s owner cooperated with Manatee County Animal Welfare officers who were investigating the incident.

Community Response

Neighbors have hailed Officer Johnson as a hero. His wife, Megan Johnson, stated that without his quick action, the outcome would have been tragic. Johnson himself attributed his swift response to both a childhood experience and his professional training, noting that he had researched techniques for dealing with aggressive dogs both personally and as part of his law enforcement training.

Officer Sustains Minor Injuries

Officer Johnson sustained minor injuries during the struggle, including cuts to his hands and bruised ribs.

The baby’s family has requested privacy and declined to be interviewed.

Source: Information in this story comes from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and Dale Johnson.