Crime & Safety

Police Seek Help Locating Dog Wanted for Biting a City Resident

Alexandria Animal Control says the dog in question is not Houdini, the Australian shepherd that has eluded capture for three months.

Alexandria police and the city’s Animal Welfare League are reaching out to the public for help in finding a dog that bit a city resident, causing the victim serious injury.

At approximately 6 p.m. Dec. 8, the female victim noticed a dog walking outside in winter weather in the 300 block of N. Latham Street. The dog appeared to be limping and in need of assistance.

As she offered the animal food, the dog bit the victim causing serious injury.

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The animal is described as a medium-sized dog, similar in appearance to a collie with brown, black and white fur. The dog also appeared thin with matter hair.

Alexandria Animal Control does not believe the dog related to the Dec. 8 incident to be Houdini, the Australian shepherd that went missing in Del Ray Sept. 11 and has eluded capture for three months despite frequent sightings. The dogs have similar descriptions, but there's one big difference. 

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“We don’t believe the dog in question to be Houdini,” said Joe Seskey, Alexandria’s chief animal control officer. “The victim was confident the dog she encountered had a tail. Houdini doesn’t have a tail.”

Houdini has been spotted in the Holmes Run area near N. Latham Street and other parts of the city but remains at-large despite a coordinated search effort and a saucy reward for information leading to its capture from Del Ray restaurant Pork Barrel BBQ.

Police are trying to locate the dog related to the Dec. 8 incident and its owner. Anyone with information or may have witnessed the event is urged to call the police department’s non-emergency number at 703-746-4444.  

Authorities ask residents not to approach or attempt to apprehend this animal.

The Houdini Search Team announced on its Facebook page that it would take a break and respond only to reports of actual sightings until the other dog is found.


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