Dog bite sidelines 'Dirty Dozen' trumpeter Towns

The Associated Press, Saturday, November 24, 2012, 5:44pm (PST)

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Dirty Dozen Brass Band trumpeter Efrem Towns is recovering at home in New Orleans from a vicious attack by a Rottweiler at an Atlanta motel.

He missed performances in Colorado and New Orleans after the attack on Nov. 18, and doesn't know if he'll make the band's next scheduled gig on Dec. 28, The Times-Picayune (http://bit.ly/XOJoNr) reported.

He and baritone sax player Roger Lewis said the dog surged from an open motel room door after Towns knocked on the door of Lewis' room.

"I didn't know if it was a dog, wolverine, bear, mongoose or what. I just knew something had me," Towns said.

He said the dog's owner came out of the next room, and they were able to subdue it.

At Atlanta's Grady Hospital, he received 30 stitches in his groin. Towns, who has health insurance through his wife, Tracie, said he will be seeing a urologist this week.

The Dirty Dozen Brass Band formed in 1977, and is credited with creating the contemporary, funk-infused brass band sound. It's been featured on albums with David Bowie, Elvis Costello and the Black Crowes.

Towns said he probably could practice while convalescing. "But I'm very uncomfortable right now," he said Friday evening. "I'm basically immobilized — it's hard getting around. I'm kind of miserable."

The experience hasn't soured Towns on dogs. He and his wife own three miniature schnauzers, a standard schnauzer and a mixed breed. On Friday, his daughter's dachshund was visiting.

"I'm a dog person," he said. "And even though I got bit, I hope they don't put that dog to sleep."

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Information from: The Times-Picayune, http://www.nola.com