After nearly losing leg in attack, man warns of loose dogs on bike path

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - The victim of a vicious dog attack in Pearl City is warning the public about the dangers of loose dogs along the Pearl Harbor Bike Path.

Barry Wagenvoord suffered several deep gashes on his right leg when he was attacked by a large brown dog near Lehua Community Park last month.

“I was in shock, I was in disbelief. He chomped down twice. I’m lucky he didn’t shake his head I guess," said the 58-year-old radio industry executive.

Wagenvoord said he spent four days in Pali Momi Medical Center after his leg got infected. He said doctors warned him that if his infection didn’t improve, his leg might have to get amputated.

“She had seen wounds like that on hands that had caused people to lose their hands. She said if it doesn’t get better soon I’m going to have to call the surgeon," he said.

In the end, doctors were able to get the infection under control.

The attack happened on a remote part of the path. Several bicyclists told Hawaii News Now they no longer use it because they consider it dangerous.

To be sure, the city has tried to make the area safer by removing nearby homeless camps but Wagenvoord said more can be done.

“I think it needs more patrols. I think I’ve ridden that path a hundred times and I’ve seen patrols, officers on those three-wheeler things, twice," he said.

Copyright 2019 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.