SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - A Yellowknife man is concerned for public safety after he was attacked twice by a large dog while walking near the Fraser Arms West apartment building on 51 Street on Nov. 5.

Benjamin Lynch reveals his battle scars after being attacked by a German shepherd on Nov. 5. - Nikolett Popovics/NNSL photo

Benjamin Lynch was coming out from an alley when, he said, a German shepherd ran across the street, jumped at him and bit him in the right side, above the hip.

Lynch managed to knee the dog.

"I fought with it for a few seconds," he said.

The German shepherd then turned its attention to four teenagers walking nearby. Lynch said he began to yell at the animal to distract it when it turned around and bit him again, this time on the inside to his right leg.

The teens ran and were saved from a possible attack.

Lynch suffered puncture wounds on his right leg and his side. He was treated at the hospital, where he received tetanus and rabies shots to prevent complications from the bites.

"I barely made it out a man," he said of the wounds on the inside of his upper leg.

The German shepherd was accompanied by a white poodle-like dog, according to Lynch. He said two other people he met at the hospital after the attack also encountered the dogs in question.

Doug Gillard, manager of the Municipal Enforcement Division, said his office received four separate calls the day of the attack regarding a dog that fits the description of the German shepherd, but Gillard said they were unable to find the dog. No calls have been received since.

"It's not typical for dogs to be aggressive like that," he said.

There will be no investigation since it is difficult to be sure a German shepherd found would be the vicious dog, unless it has distinguishing marks.

"One German shepherd looks like another," he said.

Gillard said people should be aware of stray dogs and take caution if they see one. He advises to never turn one's back or run from a dog, as this may make them more aggressive. Instead, remain calm and back away from the dog, he said. Putting something in front of you could also help to protect if a dog does attack.