Man dies after being attacked by neighbor’s dog

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/Gray News) - A Florida man who was hospitalized after being attacked by his neighbor’s dog has died.

According to an obituary from the Heritage Funeral Home, Michael Arthur Fabjon Jr. passed away at Bay Medical Center at age 49.

Family members say that Fabjon Jr. was a caring person, who was always willing to lend a helping hand.

Fabjon Jr. died as a result of his injuries after having been attacked by his neighbor’s dog.

The Bay County Sheriff’s Office released an incident report concerning the dog attack on that happened on Laird St.

Warning: The details of the report may be considered graphic or disturbing for some audiences. Viewer discretion is advised.

According to the report, the incident began while Fabjon Jr. was outside with his dog talking to a neighbor.

Deputies say the neighbor described a fight breaking out between Fabjon’s dog and their other neighbor’s dog, which was identified as a pit bull breed in the report.

Fabjon and his neighbor were able to break up the fight resulting in the pit bull running away, according to the report.

The report then says the pit bull returned and began attacking Fabjon, biting his neck while shaking his head.

The neighbor also said that a woman, later identified to be a resident of the property the attack took place in front of, came outside to call the dog back in.

Deputies say they responded to the emergency call at around 5:00 p.m. where they administered both CPR and life-saving measures to Fabjon. Fabjon was taken to a local hospital in critical condition, according to a press release from BCSO.

According to the report, the pit bull’s owner barricaded himself in his front door when Bay County Animal Control tried to retrieve the dog. The owner was then arrested for resisting without violence and obstruction.

The incident report also said the pit bull’s owner claimed that after the dogs finished fighting, the pit bull did come back. He then stated that it was Fabjon’s dog who attacked Fabjon.

The report goes on to say both dogs have had a history in the past since they are both males.

As for the dog’s breed and its place in the sheriff’s office investigation, they say it will not have any weight.

“The breed of the dog is not of great concern to us, but whether or not, the dog or the owner had previously been warned or provided classification that the dog was a dangerous animal,” said Lieutenant Chris Coram of the Criminal Investigation Division.

Bay County officials say the pit bull was euthanized following the attack.

In a statement, the country said, “Bay County Animal Control determined that the dog was a danger to the animal control officers and the community at large and subsequently euthanized the animal.”

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