Las Cruces Animal Control was looking for the owner of what they believed were three Newfoundland dogs until KFOX14 managed to track down the owner, who then contactedauthorities.

Police said a contractor was working on the construction at University Hills Elementary School Tuesday morning when he was approached by the unleashed dogs, who bit him.

The dogs were in a gated area on the school grounds without leashes.

"The dogs jumped on him and started biting him," animal control officer Brian Goodman said. "Bit him on both arms and on the upper back leg."

The man's injuries were not serious.

Thursday afternoon police sent out a notice asking for the public's help in finding the owner, and that's when KFOX14 tracked down Trisha Wright, a New Mexico State University assistant volleyball coach, by phone.

Wright said she was surprised the man filed a police report, because she immediately offered to help him following the incident and didn't see a cause for alarm.

Wright also said her dogs are friendly and normally under control. KFOX14 spoke with one neighbor who agreed.

"She's been really responsible, as far as I know," John Demirjian said. "She usually has them on leashes."

But animal control said no matter how friendly your pets are, they must be on a leash.

"If the animals aren't physically restrained, they can be cited for unrestraint," Goodman said.

Goodman said any type of animal attack needs to be reported by the victim and the owner.