Wapato man hospitalized after attack by vicious dog

WAPATO, Wash. -- A Wapato man who was badly bitten in a weekend dog attack is now listed in satisfactory condition at Harborview Medical Center, a hospital spokeswoman said this afternoon.

David Purdy, 58, was first taken Sunday evening to Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital and then transferred to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for treatment of bites to the arms and legs. His injuries were first described as life-threatening.

Sheriff’s officials say details of the attack remain unclear.

The victim, who is mute from throat cancer, drove up to a friend’s house in the 500 block of Upper Bank Road, just south of Wapato, about 7 p.m. Sunday. When the man did not knock on the door, the friend found him bleeding in the car, said Stew Graham, chief of detectives for the sheriff’s office.

Deputies found a possible location for the attack in the 6600 block of North Track Road, about a mile from the house on Upper Bank Road. When they tried to contact someone at that house, a pit bull became aggressive and was fatally shot by a deputy, Graham said.

Deputies are still investigating today, including continuing to try to contact the dead dog’s owner for more information.

-- Mark Morey