AUGUSTA, Ga. - A vicious animal attack has put two people in the hospital after a donkey escaped from his owner.

The donkey jumped over a fence and mauled an Augusta man on the other side.

The attack happened Thursday off Old Savannah Road in Augusta.

The man suffered several severe bites from the angry donkey named “Spike”.

One person who witnessed the attack says the man provoked the animal.

"I think it's a good donkey. I've been back in this guy's yard plenty of times and it's never bothered anybody,” said neighbor Malik Dillard. “My kids, a bunch of the neighbors; they’ve never had any problems. I don't see [the donkey] doing any damage or hurting anyone unless it was provoked, which is what I believe happened in this situation."

On Wednesday, a 16-year-old girl was taken to the hospital after being bitten in the back by Spike. The family says they’re not pressing charges.

One other person was bitten on the hand recently.

Neighbors say kids, teens, and even adults had thrown rocks at Spike and taunted the animal within the past weeks.

Animal Services took Spike back to their facility and charged the owner for having his livestock running loose.

The owner will have to wait until a court hearing to see if he can get Spike back.

The Richmond County deputy who responded, said in his 15 years with the Sheriff’s Office, this was the first donkey attack he’s ever heard of.

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