SPCA worker recovering after being attacked by dog at animal shelter

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A frantic and frightening 911 call was made from the Central California SPCA Tuesday morning after one of its employees was attacked by a dog.

A source tells Action News a portion of the female worker's face was torn off after the dog bit her inside a kennel.

Central California SPCA spokesman, Walter Salvari says as far as he knows this is the first time a worker has been attacked in this way. He tells Action News employees are typically just scratched or nipped by animals.

"It is one of those shocking situation it can happen to anyone but unfortunately our employee and this is really sad that this occurred," Salvari said.

Salvari could not go into detail surrounding the injury because of privacy laws but he says the employee was hired earlier this year and received training on how to work in the shelter.

"All of our employees go through some training when it goes to animal handling animal care but you can never be truly prepared when it comes to this kind of scenario."

The dog's breed is also not being released however, officials tell us he was brought in this month and recently neutered for adoption.

Meantime the SPCA says an internal investigation is being conducted to determine what will happen to the dog.

Salvari said, "As of right now we are pretty much investigating the animal, holding it for quarantine until further notice."

We reached out to the City of Fresno to see if it would be looking into this incident since it provides some funding for animal control however, a spokesperson says it is not something they will be getting involved with.