Escambia County firefighter attacked by dog while responding to RV crash; Driver arrested

ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. - An Escambia County volunteer firefighter was attacked by a dog while responding to an RV crash Wednesday afternoon, according to NorthEscambia.com.

The driver of the RV, 47-year-old Robert Long of Pace, was subsequently arrested on these charges:

• resisting arrest
• felony intimidating or hindering law enforcement duties
  
• dog owner reckless disregard

The incident happened around 3:45 p.m. on North Highway 99 near Hanks Road. Escambia County firefighters were dispatched for a trapped occupant following an RV crash.

The first firefighter to arrive was a Walnut Hill volunteer in his personal vehicle, according to NorthEscambia.com. He reportedly arrived to find Long standing outside the vehicle.

"Long told deputies his 80-year-old mother was in the RV and was unable to get out," the sheriff's office says in a release. "Long also told deputies that he had two dogs in the RV that were aggressive and would attack if they felt threatened."

Deputies say Long was asked to remove the dogs from the RV and keep them on leashes so that deputies, along with Escambia County Fire Rescue, could safely remove the 80-year-old from the RV.

"Long took the dogs out and to the side of the RV, at which time he removed their leashes," the release states.

One of the dogs then attacked the firefighter as he walked toward the RV -- attacking him from behind, knocking him to the ground and biting him. An Escambia County deputy who was already on scene shot the dog, which died a short time later.

The firefighter suffered non-life-threatening injuries to his arm and leg. He was transported to the hospital for treatment.

Long resisted a law enforcement officer on scene after Escambia County Animal Control arrived to remove the second dog.

"Long was given multiple commands to place the second dog on a leash and out of the way so law enforcement could speak with him," deputies say in a release. "Long refused to let go of the dog, and held the dog in between himself and law enforcement, gripping the dog tightly, causing it to whine in pain."

Long was tased before being arrested.

He remains in jail on a $3,150 bond.

The RV reportedly had been in the ditch since at least 2 p.m. Someone reported it as a traffic accident with a trapped occupant around 3:45 p.m.