WEST COVINA >> Police Sunday released the name of a man they say stabbed a dog walker in an unprovoked attack before being mauled by the victim’s loyal pit bull and arrested Saturday afternoon.
Jason Perez, 28, of West Covina was booked on suspicion of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon in connection with the unusual incident, which unfolded about 3:30 p.m. Saturday in the 600 block of South Glendora Avenue, West Covina police officials said.
He remained hospitalized Sunday for treatment of significant dog bite injuries to his buttocks, arm, leg and torso, West Covina police Lt. Dennis Patton said.
The victim of the bizarre stabbing, a 19-year-old West Covina man, suffered non-life-threatening injuries, including puncture wounds to his shoulder area inflicted by a screwdriver, ice pick or similar tool, police and the victim said.
The victim, who asked that his name be withheld out of safety concerns, said based on the strange behavior of his attacker, the stabbing may have been a result of mistaken identity.
Perez passed by the victim and his mother minutes before the attack and stopped to compliment them on their dog, the victim said.
He approached the family a second time and asked if the victim was named “Christian,” which he is not, the man said.
Ultimately, Perez approached the mother and son a third time, the victim said. “When he gets alongside me, he stops and says, ‘This is for my daughter,” as he began slashing and stabbing.
“I was backpedaling. I ended up tripping. He was trying to slash me with, I believe, a screwdriver,” the dog owner said.
The victim’s mother stood over her son and blocked some of the swings by hooking the attackers arm with her own, he said.
The family’s 5-year-old red nose pit bull, Droogie, rushed to his family’s aid and began biting Perez.
Even as the dog bit, the suspect appeared fixated on continuing his attack on the young man, the victim said. The victim got to his feet and began running, still clutching Droogie’s leash. The attacker chased after him for nearly a block.
Perez was gaining on the victim when, coincidentally, his brother happened to drive by. The victim jumped into his brothers car and to safety. By that point, the dog was utterly exhausted.
Police who happened to be at a nearby DMV office quickly responded to witnesses’ 911 calls, the victim said.
Police captured the Perez as he fled on foot nearby. Officials said it appeared his attempt to flee was slowed by the injuries inflicted by the protective pet.
The injured victim said his wounds weren’t serious. Though still achy, “I’m feeling fine today,” he said Sunday.
Upon returning home, the victim said he discovered that Droogie had also suffered a small puncture wound to the back of his neck during the incident. The injury did not appear serious, and Droogie Sunday was “back to his normal self.”
He said he felt fortunate.
“The way it all worked out, something was working for me,” he said.
As for Droogie, he has been rewarded for his crime fighting, the victim said.
“We gave him leftover food last night, sausages this morning and a lot of treats in between.”

PHOTO of Droogie, a 5-year-old red nose pit bull, courtesy.