Veteran Chesterfield Cop Recovered from Dog Attack

Chesterfield Township Detective Brian Dowell has been on countless raids during his 21 years with , including four years solely working narcotics cases.

So, it wasn't unusual when he and others in the department executed a search warrant last month in the 23 Mile and Fairchild area. What was abnormal, however, was being rushed to the hospital afterward.

"First time I've been injured during a drug raid," Dowell said Monday of being attacked by a pit bull at the scene.

Dowell entered the Hometown Chesterfield mobile home subdivision late March 8, anticipating a dog.

"I went in after seeing the one dog and didn't see the other dog," he said of the smaller pit. "He came from behind me."

That animal latched on to his arm, refusing to let go as he tried shaking it off.

"He actually ripped through skin and fell off," said Dowell, whose wound was cleaned at a nearby hospital immediately after. He received eight stitches and was put on antibiotics to prevent infection. He returned to work a few days later.

Ironically, Dowell is known around the station as an animal lover. He owns and cares for three llamas and three alpacas and worked as an animal-control officer for the city of Port Huron before coming to Chesterfield.

According to township police, officers tried fending off the charging dog with a Taser gun and flashlight, but ultimately shot it when other efforts didn't work. The raid yielded five arrests, a cache of weapons and marijuana. Detective Sgt. Deron Myers said deadly force on an aggressive animal is a last resort toe ensure safety.