A Florida man who was cherished by his friends and family as the “life of the party” tragically lost his life after a severe dog attack.
Michael Arthur Fabjon Jr., 49, passed away on February 9 at a hospital in Panama City Beach. He was hospitalized on February 4 with critical injuries following an incident involving a neighbor’s aggressive dog.
According to the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, they began investigating the dog attack shortly after it happened. The owner of the aggressive dog was arrested for resisting law enforcement and was later charged with obstruction without violence.
Initially, Fabjon was identified as the victim on February 5 and remained in critical condition in the hospital. Reports indicate that the incident occurred while he was outside with his own dog, chatting with a neighbor. During this time, a fight broke out between his dog and a pit bull named Gunner.
After the conflict was broken up, Gunner returned and attacked Fabjon, biting him on the neck. Neighbors called for help, and deputies arrived around 5 p.m., administering CPR before Fabjon was taken to the hospital.
As animal control approached to manage the aggressive dog, its owner reportedly locked themselves inside their house, claiming that Fabjon’s dog had attacked him. It was noted that there were previous issues with both dogs, and Gunner was euthanized shortly after the attack.
Chris Coram from the sheriff’s office stated that the specific breed of the dog wasn’t their main concern, but rather whether the dog had been previously identified as dangerous.
In a statement, Bay County Animal Control confirmed that the dog was deemed a danger to both officers and the community, leading to its euthanization.
In his obituary, Fabjon’s loved ones highlighted his joyful spirit, remembering him as someone who brought laughter and happiness wherever he went. He is survived by his daughter, son, parents, brother, and his beloved dog, Beasty Boy.
