Deputies: Man Told Dogs To Attack Officer

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Lowndes County investigators said a man told his dogs to attack an animal control officer and the officer was bitten on the thigh.

Matthew Bryant Nickoles, 26,  was charged with aggravated assault with the Tuesday incident at 108 Matson Road.

Deputies say Nickoles was approached by the animal control officer after a complaint was called-in to 911.

The animal control officer told Nickoles the dogs needed to be “contained.” The two pitbulls growled and barked at the officer, while inside the house.

Nickoles told the officer to get off his property and that the dogs were not his.

Nickoles then opened the door and told the dogs to “get him/kill him. Kill the S.O.B,” according to a press release issued by the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office.

The officer was bitten on the leg and made it back to his truck to call for help.

Deputies and animal control were able to bring the dogs under control. Officers went to talk with Nickoles who “tried to slam the door on officers and run.”

Eventually, Nickoles was arrested. He was on probation and is now being held at the Lowndes County Detention Center.

The pitbulls are being held at the Lowndes County Animal Shelter.