Man's Finger Bitten Off in Scuffle at Health Care Rally

http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-finger-bitten-rally,0,7135717.story

THOUSAND OAKS -- A 65-year-old man had his finger bitten off Wednesday evening at a health care rally in Thousand Oaks, according to the Ventura County Sheriff's Department.

Sheriff's investigators were called to Hillcrest and Lynn Road at 7:26 p.m.

About 100 protesters sponsored by MoveOn.org were having a rally supporting health care reform.

A group of anti-health care reform protesters formed across the street.

The finger-biting incident occurred after a member of the group protesting health care reform, William Rice, 65, of Newbury Park, became involved in a heated discussion with a member of Code Pink, sheriff's Capt. Ross Bonfiglio said.

After the argument, Rice returned to where his own group was standing.

A man from Moveon.org's area then walked over to the opponents and verbally confronted Rice, allegedly calling him names and acting aggressively, Bonfiglio said.

Rice later told investigators he felt threatened by the man and punched him in the nose, Bonfiglio said.

The punch set off a fist fight between the two men, during which the tip of Rice's left pinky finger was bitten off, Bonfiglio said.

Rice drove himself to Los Robles Hospital and Medical Center in Thousand Oaks.

Another man found the bitten-off portion of the finger and brought it to Rice at the hospital, Bonfiglio said.

The suspect fled the scene, authorities said.

He was described as a short man with a medium build, wearing a blue cap, black shirt and black shorts.

Sheriff's officials are investigating the incident.

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Info from: Ventura County Star