Police: Dog bit woman's attacker, helped thwart sexual assault

PACIFIC, Wash. -- Police say a woman's dog helped stop a sexual assault earlier this month, as it jumped in between the victim and the attacker and nipped at the man.

According to the Pacific Police Department, Ralph Young, a convicted Level 2 sex offender, went to a woman's home around 5 p.m. March 3 in the 100 block of 3rd Avenue South in Pacific.

Young went under the guise of returning dishes he previously borrowed from the woman, police said. But once inside the residence, Young allegedly pushed himself on the woman, saying he wanted to "feel her up." The victim refused Young's advances, but he continued to push her down onto a nearby bed, police said.

Young allegedly forcibly removed the victim's clothes before one of the woman's dogs jumped on the bed and started "nipping" at Young. As the dog continued to bite at Young, he pulled his pants back around his waist and left, police said.

The victim called police who contacted Young. Young denied entering the woman's house. However, family members of Young said he did go over to return the dishes. He was arrested and booked into King County Jail.

Young has prior convictions for robbery, kidnapping and indecent liberties, the police department said.