Fresno police K-9 attacks innocent bystander

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A police chase ended at an East Central Fresno intersection Tuesday night. Curious people came out of their homes to watch as police were closing in on the suspect. That's when a police K-9 got loose. And instead of running for the suspect the dog headed straight for the bystanders.

Cell phone video shows moments after a police canine mauled an innocent bystander. Look closely in the corner and you can see the dog being taken away. Just one day later the victim, 38-year-old Hanley Sell can't hold back the tears. He's bloodied, bruised and in extreme pain.

"I don't know what to do I can't feed myself," said Sell. He has gashes on both arms. "The dog basically pulled off the top of my bicep right here because the officer was yanking it by the collar," said Sell. He was with several people watching as a high speed chase ended at Sierra Vista and Belmont. Instead of running toward the suspect the canine ran straight for him and so Sell says he ran away.

"My little cousin made it through the fence okay but when I went to get over the fence the dog had caught me mid stride," said Sell.

Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer said Sell didn't do anything wrong. "We recognized last night it was our fault, our mistake," said Dyer. He said they're paying for all of sells medical bills. "Unfortunately last night, there was an accident that occurred where this dog was able to break away was not on the leash for whatever reason, someone who was not involved in this incident," said Dyer.

As for Sell he said he's just happy to be alive. "Had I been a four-year-old girl, it would have been a lot worse," said Sell.

Dyer said they're doing an internal investigation to find out why the canine was able to get loose and to find out if there was any negligence on the part of the officer.