Granite Basin Lake near Prescott.

A dog on an Arizona hiking trail appears to have been the source of an argument that resulted in an alleged “violent assault” that has authorities searching for a male and female suspect.

The incident occurred Saturday morning (Sept. 6) at Granite Basin Lake near Prescott. According to the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office, a couple encountered another couple hiking with a “large brown dog.”

“Following a brief verbal exchange regarding the dog, the male suspect allegedly physically assaulted one of the hikers, punching him multiple times,” the Sheriff’s Office stated in a news release. “When the second hiker attempted to intervene, she was attacked by the female suspect.”

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The confrontation was alleged to have ended when the male suspect “produced a small black handgun and pointed it at one of the victims before he and the female suspect left the area.”

The victims sustained “minor injuries” and declined to be transported to a hospital or clinic.

The incident occurred on Trail 261 and it was not clear if the dog had been unleashed or acting in a threatening manner. The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office Facebook post, however, generated ample commentary regarding dogs on trails.

The suspects are described as a thin white male in his 30s or 40s and “slight facial stubble,” and a white female in her 30s or 40s with long blonde hair. The female was wearing dark-colored shorts and a white wristwatch.

The Yavapai Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with potentially helpful information to telephone (928) 771-3260 or submit information anonymously via a tip line at (800) 932-3232.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Dispute over dog on Arizona hiking trail leads to alleged ‘violent assault’

Reporting by Pete Thomas, For The Win / For The Win

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