Dogs save owner from assault in Fort Collins park

When a late-night walk in a Fort Collins park turned into an attack Sunday, a woman’s dog came to her rescue, biting her attacker and giving her the chance to escape.

Officers responded Sunday to a report of suspicious circumstances after 911 responders received a call around 11 p.m. from a woman yelling at a man to get off her, Fort Collins police spokesman J. Gilmore said.

Deputies were able to trace the victim’s phone to Lee Martinez Community Park, Gilmore said.

Officers made contact with the unknown woman in the park and she pointed out a man walking behind her, Gilmore said. She told officers she had fended off the man for 20 minutes when her dog bit him in the face, allowing her to escape.

Details about the dog’s age, breed and name were not available.

The victim had no prior relationship with the suspect, Gilmore said. The man arrived in Fort Collins from Boulder on Friday and lived in the park.

Fort Collins police officers arrested 39-year-old Seth Estabrooks without resistance on suspicion of three charges: second-degree assault, strangulation; unlawful sexual contact involving violence or threats; and false imprisonment by force.

He is being held in the Larimer County Jail with a court date set for May 14.

Estabrooks has previous convictions in Boulder County for obstructing a peace officer, theft, menacing, menacing with a weapon, criminal mischief and drug possession.

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