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Dog owner on rabies watch after attack by unleashed animal

It was all caught on camera, but David Ulibarri is left with over $200 in medical bills after an unleashed dog attacked his own.

TAMPA, Fla. — Going out for a walk almost turned deadly for David Ulibarri and his 7-year-old dog Gizmo. 

On Wednesday, he walked out of his Tampa Heights home and an unleashed dog came running and attacked.

"By the time I got him back, the dog was already up on him and had him by the face," said Ulibarri.

The incident was all caught on his Ring doorbell camera, and could help Hillsborough County Animal Control catch the man who's responsible. 

"I was terrified. My whole thought process that was in my head was to just get that dog off of him as soon as possible. The way it looked to me was that he had a hold of his eye and I didn’t want him to lose his eye," said Ulibarri. 

David says the man left quickly, but gave him a name and address. Hillsborough County Animal Control later found out it was fake. 

"I’m just concerned that he’s going to, you know, come to the neighborhood again with the dog. Or if there’s kids around somewhere else that the dog's going to be off the leash," said Ulibarri.

Over $200 in medical bills later, little Gizmo is getting treatment for a cut under his eye and one on his ear. In the middle of the attack, Ulibarri also got bit and scratched. 

"When I pulled the dog off he actually scratched the back of my leg. They’re concerned that, you know, he broke the skin in both spots and we have to make sure he’s vaccinated," said Ulibarri.

Flyers are being handed out to anyone in the neighborhood in hopes that someone will catch the man who's responsible. Officials need to confirm that his dog was vaccinated for rabies. 

If you know anything, please call 813-997-9133.

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