ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla. – A 71-year-old High Springs resident survived a violent dog attack Saturday evening after an Alachua County Sheriff’s Office deputy intervened and fatally shot the animal, authorities said.
At approximately 7:07 p.m. on January 24, 2026, deputies with the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office responded with Alachua County Fire Rescue to a report of an active dog attack. The first deputy arrived within minutes and found the dog attacking the elderly man. The dog had already bitten its owner, the victim’s adult daughter, who attempted to stop the attack.
As the deputy tried to physically pull the dog away from the victim, the animal turned and began biting the deputy. The deputy discharged his service weapon, stopping the attack. The dog later died from the gunshot wound.
Deputies immediately began rendering aid to the critically injured man, applying multiple tourniquets to control severe bleeding. Paramedics with Alachua County Fire Rescue took over medical care upon arrival. Deputies from the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, along with officers from the High Springs Police Department, Alachua Police Department, and Gainesville Police Department, assisted by blocking roadways to expedite transport to UF Health Shands Trauma Center.
The victim was last reported to be in stable condition. Doctors at UF Health credited the deputies’ rapid use of tourniquets with saving his life.
The injured deputy was treated at a local hospital and released. The dog owner sustained minor injuries during the incident.
Sheriff’s Office detectives and forensic investigators are investigating the incident. Alachua County Animal Control responded and took possession of the dog.
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