Seminole Man Hospitalized After he is Mauled by His Own DogA Seminole man was mauled in his home by his own dog, and was hospitalized with serious injuries. On Wednesday, May 26, at 3:50 a.m. Pinellas County Sheriff's Office Central District Patrol deputies responded to a 911 call of a man being mauled by a dog inside his residence at 10675 Seminole Boulevard Lot # 7. When deputies arrived on the scene the victim, Richard Blackey, was crawling out of his bedroom with the dog still attacking him. Blackey's girlfriend, Melissa Howell, was trying to pull the dog away. The deputies were able to help Howell move the dog back into the bedroom and close the door. Paramedics immediately began to treat Blackey, who had numerous bite marks to his arms, chest, and neck. He was eventually transported by ambulance to Bayfront Hospital in serious condition, and he was not able to give a statement. According to deputies Howell stated she and Blackey had been in their bedroom watching television with the dog in the room. She said Blackey got up and went into the kitchen to make himself a plate of food. Howell said she eventually joined him in the kitchen, and the dog stayed in the bedroom. Howell stated Blackey returned to the bedroom with his plate of food, at which point she heard him yelling and the dog growling. She went to the bedroom and saw the dog attacking Blackey. She grabbed the six-year-old, ninety-five pound male Rottweiler/German Sheppard mix named Mickey, by the collar and pulled him away. Unfortunately Mickey was able to slip out of his collar and he returned to attacking Blackey. Howell continued to try and pull Mickey away, but the dog turned and bit her on the left thumb. Howell then ran to the kitchen and called 911. Howell was treated and released at the scene by paramedics with a minor injury. Blackey is currently being treated at Bayfront Hospital with serious injuries, and we have no further updates at this point as to his condition. Mickey was taken into custody by Pinellas County Animal Control Services unharmed. At this point there appears to be no motive for the attack. Blackey is still unable to give a statement. Howell did say Blackey has had the dog since he was a puppy, and the dog had bitten Blackey on one other occasion a few years ago that went unreported. The investigation continues.
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