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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Man Bitten By Police Dog Doesn’t Have Tuberculosis

From Staff And Wire Reports

A 59-year-old man whose arm was mauled by a police dog two weeks ago does not suffer from tuberculosis.

Jerry Hurtt was taken to Sacred Heart Medical Center from Playfair Race Track after a police dog bit his arm.

Doctors feared Hurtt might have tuberculosis and conducted tests to determine if he had the disease. Tests showed he did not, a hospital official said.

As a result, Hurtt did not expose four or five police officers to the disease.

Hurtt said he was sitting on a bucket near the race track when the dog attacked his arm.

A police officer frequently brings the dog to the area to run and relieve itself.

Police are continuing to investigate whether the officer and dog acted properly.

Initially, Chief Terry Mangan said that there appeared to be no violation of department policy.

Mangan doubted the dog would bite Hurtt without provocation, given the police dog’s training.

Hurtt remains at Sacred Heart.