HOWLAND TWP., Ohio - A Howland Township man with a history of animal-related violations is facing a new charge after his dogs allegedly attacked a neighbor and his small dog.

Keith E. Dunbar, 74, of King Graves Road NE in Warren, is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday in Warren Municipal Court on a vicious dog charge.

According to a police report, the latest incident occurred Friday afternoon on Niles-Cortland Road NE. A man told police he was walking his Shih Tzu, Olivia, on a leash in his yard when two white and tan pit bull mixes, estimated to weigh 60 to 80 pounds, attacked them. The dogs allegedly came from Dunbar’s nearby home on King Graves Road NE.

The man reported that one of the pit bulls bit him on the hand and leg, while the other held Olivia in its mouth. He said he was dragged to the ground by both dogs before using a shovel to fend them off.

The police report stated that Dunbar came out of his house, called the dogs back, apologized, and said the incident happened because his electric fence failed.

Olivia's owner sought medical treatment for puncture wounds to his hand, and Olivia received veterinary care for a laceration on her back.

Officers spoke with Dunbar, who told them that only one of his dogs escaped the fence and engaged his neighbor's dog. Dunbar said his dogs are vaccinated and apologized, adding that he planned to move the electric fence closer to his home. He also mentioned that another white terrier he owns was not involved.

Court records indicate Dunbar has a history of issues involving his handling of dogs. In 2022, he was convicted of failure to confine his dog after it bit a neighbor and her dog on Windsor Trace. He was also convicted of failing to maintain control of his dog in 2007 and 2017.