PORTSMOUTH — The owner of three unleashed dogs that attacked a leashed dog on Saturday has been cited by police, and a vicious dog hearing will be convened at some point.

On the morning of Saturday, April 13, three dogs got loose from their Grain Terrace yard and began fighting with a fourth dog which was being walked on a leash, according to Police Chief Brian Peters.

“Both owners of the dogs were injured while trying to separate the dogs. One of the owners had an injury to her leg, requiring medical attention. The second owner suffered an injury to their hand,” Peters said.

One of the dogs involved left the area, but was located a short time later. The dogs were confined to their home under a 10-day quarantine and there is no current threat to the community, the chief said.

“The (animal control officer) has concluded its investigation into the dog incident from Saturday,” Peters stated in an e-mail Tuesday. “The owner of the Cane Corso dogs has been cited for three counts of dog running at large and one count of a biting dog. We have also notified the owner that a vicious dog hearing will be convened on the incident at a date yet to be determined.”

The citations, he said, are Town of Portsmouth animal control tickets based on municipal ordinance violations.  

The vicious dog hearing will be held in either the Town Council Chambers at Town Hall or in the police station’s community room, depending on availability, said Peters, adding the department is still working out the details.