A dog that attacked a Rapid City man Tuesday did not have rabies.

The pit bull attack on Nicholas Byers, 28, was the 122nd animal bite of a person that Kent Brown has handled this year. Brown is the animal control officer for the Humane Society of the Black Hills.

Most of the bites were relatively minor, but medical personnel are obligated to report all bites, Brown said.

Byers was bitten by the 2-year-old, male pit bull while visiting an ex-girlfriend at her home. He reportedly pushed the animal away with his foot before the dog lunged at him, biting him on the arms and stomach. The dog had to be tranquilized at the scene.

According to Brown, the dog was euthanized with his owner's approval and tested for rabies. The South Dakota Public Health Laboratory in Pierre notified Brown Thursday that the dog was not rabid.

"Due to the severity of the attack, I would have done the same," Brown said. "But, pit bulls have a bum rap. Some of the sweetest animals out there are pit bulls."

Brown said he doesn't blame the dog, the dog's owner or Byers for the incident.

According to Brown, there are 20 dog breeds that could attack in a similar manner.

A recent 18-month review Brown's bite reports revealed that Labradors and border collies rank first and second on the list of local offenders. "That's what we have the most of in this area."

When things go wrong and a dog attacks, it's usually a combination of circumstances, he said.

"More than likely it's a lack of training, provocation and aggressive tendencies," Brown said.

Contact Andrea Cook at 394-8423 or andrea.cook@rapidcityjournal.com.