In an email to Channel 3, the deputy explained what happened.



"I had my phone in my hand when the dog began rubbing its body against my legs and the legs of another deputy. The dog raised up and put his front feet on the other deputy's chest and then he did the same to me. While he had his feet on my chest and I was petting him with my left hand, I thought that would make a good photo. It was then that he bit me. There was no 'pre-planned selfie.'"



The deputy was taken to the hospital where he underwent emergency out-patient surgery. He is now home recovering.