Man charged with attempted murder in park attack involving dog in Chicago suburb
CHICAGO (CBS) — A man was charged with attempted murder after police said he attacked a woman in a park in northwest suburban McHenry on Sunday.
According to McHenry police, officers responded to Petersen Park just before 3:30 p.m. Police determined a man, identified as Raymond Link, 47, of West Allis, Wisconsin, attacked and battered a 59-year-old woman along with his unleashed dog.
The victim was taken to Northwestern Medicine with multiple dog bites and injuries to her face. She was later flown to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville for treatment.
Police said the woman and Link were both walking their dogs at the time of the attack.
A 37-year-old man tried to intervene and was also injured. Police said he was treated for a broken clavicle and a dog bite.
"The attack was unprovoked, and there did not appear to be any connection between Link and the victim," police said in a news release.
In addition to attempted murder, Link was charged with aggravated battery and aggravated battery by strangulation.
Parkgoers who spoke to CBS 2 said they were still trying to wrap their heads around the bizarre incident.
"I see a lot of families come here and I come biking through here all the time and it's just kinda shocking and terrifying that something like that happened here," said Krystina Jauregui.
Rick Wiegman, another frequent park visitor, said the attack was "probably a fluke incident, but I will certainly keep my eyes open. I'm a dog owner. I have three dogs, big dogs, but it wouldn't give me any pause at all to come here."
Wiegman said he goes to Petersen Park two or three times a week, but even on the busiest days, he's never seen an altercation, or even as much as an argument take place.
Police said Link's dog was later located and released to the care of McHenry County Animal Control.
