ELYRIA — An Elyria police officer had to go to the hospital after he was bitten by a dog Sunday.

According to a police report, officer Mark Mitchell was called to 530 Skylark Court about 3:40 Sunday afternoon after a resident found a dog.

Mitchell found the small white Chihuahua chained to a tree in the backyard.

Mitchell placed the dog in his patrol car, but it became nervous and attempted to escape, according to the report.

“When the officer grabbed a hold of the dog, it viciously attacked the officer’s index finger, breaking the skin, causing it to bleed,” the report said.

Mitchell was able to regain control of the dog and take it to the Police Department.

Mitchell was treated and released at EMH Regional Medical Center, and the dog was taken to the county dog pound to be quarantined.