Ferocious
There was a sudden ferocious bark. Hutch jumped back just in time to avoid razor sharp teeth tearing into his skin but not his shirt sleeve.
"Great! Just great!"
Hutch back-tracked quickly and hid behind the next door neighbour's fence. The dog's agitated breathing echoed in his ears. He heard the back door of the property open and footsteps on the deck as someone peered to see what had attracted the dog's attention. The animal was still pacing up and down, guarding its territory. It barked again.
Hutch began easing his way along the fence to the alleyway, figuring he'd better head back to his partner. Mullins was paranoid enough to come and check what his dog had heard or seen. He wouldn't just assume it was a rodent.
He reached the corner and broke into an easy lope, heading up the alleyway and out onto the street. Here, he slowed his pace and tried to look casual as he made his way over to the battered beige Ford. His partner was already inside.
Before Hutch could say anything, Starsky said, "At least, we know he's home. I heard him running to the back door to see why the dog was barking. Friendly mutt?"
Hutch held up his torn shirt sleeve.
"Did he get you?"
"No. Just ruined a perfectly good shirt."
"So what now?" Starsky asked.
"Well, unless you feel confident tackling the dog, I guess we ask for assistance from animal control before we arrest him."
"And if he leaves the house?"
"We arrest him," Hutch said, then added, "But if he's got the dog with him, we wait till we've got back up then arrest him."
"Big dog, huh?"
"Sounded like an alsatian or a rottweiler."
Starsky placed the request for assistance from animal control and then they waited, eyes fixed on the house. A few moments later, the front door eased open. Mullins looked out from the doorway and then came out fully onto the porch, a dog on a lead followed him.
Starsky bit his lip to keep from laughing.
"Don't say a word," Hutch growled.
"Never seen a white rottweiler before," Starsky commented and received a punch on the arm.
Grinning, he lifted the mic to his lips and cancelled the request for animal control.
"You take Mullins. I'll deal with the poodle," Starsky snickered.
"It sounded like a ferocious rottweiler," Hutch muttered as they both climbed out of the car.
"I'm sure it did. Maybe its got delusions," Starsky suggested almost kindly.
But he couldn't keep the grin off his face and Hutch knew he was never going to live this down.