Pug-type dog, owner flee after 3-year-old boy bitten outside SF grocery store

Police released a picture of the owner of the dog that reportedly bit a three-year-old child outside of a grocery store on the unit block of Masonic Avenue on June 19, 2019. Police released a picture of the owner of the dog that reportedly bit a three-year-old child outside of a grocery store on the unit block of Masonic Avenue on June 19, 2019. Photo: SFPD Photo: SFPD Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Pug-type dog, owner flee after 3-year-old boy bitten outside SF grocery store 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

A pug-type dog allegedly bit a 3-year-old boy two weeks ago outside a grocery store on Masonic Avenue in San Francisco, and police are now asking the public to help locate the canine’s owner.

San Francisco police said the boy was entering the store with his guardian when an unattended dog lunged at the child, biting his hand in “an unprovoked dog bite.”

The child’s guardian contacted the store manager, who made an announcement on a public address system asking for the presumed owner of the dog to address the incident. The person responsible for the dog went to the scene but fled with the dog without providing any identification or information on the dog’s vaccination records, police said.

A photograph of the owner shows him in a camouflage jacket and carrying a leash in hand. No dog is on the leash in the picture, but police said the pug-type dog is light-colored with black spots.

The investigation is being handled through the San Francisco’s Police Department’s Vicious and Dangerous Dog Unit.

Officer Robert Rueca, a department spokesman, said the child suffered non-life-threatening injuries and is healing. He added it’s possible the owner of the dog could face charges.

The owner or guardian of a dog must provide identifying information in the event of an attack.

“Part of what we do is assess the dog and see if it really is a vicious dog,” Rueca said. “We’re hoping someone will be able to locate the owner and the dog and help us bring closure.”

Eduardo Medina is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: eduardo.medina@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @byEduardoMedina