Panama City Beach, Florida — A man was hospitalized after being attacked by a neighbor’s dog in a disturbing incident on Tuesday evening, local authorities reported. The Bay County Sheriff’s Office responded to a life-threatening medical emergency at approximately 5 p.m. at a residence on Laird Street.
Upon their arrival, deputies discovered 49-year-old Michael Fabjon Jr. lying on the ground and covered in blood. A neighbor, Pamela Dennis, was administering CPR in a desperate attempt to save him. Deputies quickly assessed Fabjon’s condition and initiated additional life-saving measures.
Emergency medical personnel transported Fabjon to a local hospital, where he remains in critical condition with serious injuries to his throat and neck. According to reports from the Sheriff’s Office, the altercation began when Fabjon’s dog became involved in a fight with a pit bull named Gunner, owned by Brendan Murphy, 28. Dennis stated that she and Fabjon managed to separate the dogs; however, Gunner soon returned and viciously attacked Fabjon.
Witnesses described the attack as brutal, with Gunner bringing Fabjon to the ground and causing significant injuries while violently shaking his head. Carrie Swisher, another neighbor, intervened by calling Gunner back to her home.
When animal control officials responded to the scene, they encountered resistance from Murphy, who allegedly barricaded himself inside his residence and refused to allow the dog to be taken. He was subsequently arrested on charges of resisting without violence and obstruction.
Murphy claimed that only Fabjon’s dog was responsible for the altercation and suggested that the two dogs had a history of conflict. However, evidence from the scene contradicted his assertion. The blood on Gunner matched that of the victim more closely than that on Fabjon’s dog, and numerous witnesses corroborated the account of Gunner attacking Fabjon.
In a statement, the Sheriff’s Office clarified that Fabjon and Murphy reside on the same property but in separate structures, each with their own dogs. Investigators noted that Fabjon may have been putting his dog away when Gunner returned and initiated the attack.
As of Wednesday, Fabjon remained in the intensive care unit, fighting for his life after sustaining serious injuries in the disturbing encounter. The community has been left shaken by the incident, raising questions about dog safety and ownership responsibilities.