JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Art Shad, a Jacksonville city councilman, has been defending himself, denying the claims of a dog owner who said the public servant attacked him in a local park.

Shad, who serves District 5, is accused of punching the man Monday evening in a San Marco park.

According to an incident report filed with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, the altercation began over a man's Labrador, which the councilman said attacked him.

Amy Bartosik said she was also in the park when the exchange took place.

"We just kind of see Art's fist go into his face. It appeared as if Art jumped over the dog to hit him in the face," Bartosik said.

According to the police incident report, Shad said he was jogging in the park when a dog came up to him in a snarling, aggressive manner and attacked him twice.

However, the dog's owner said "the dog never touched (Shad)," the report stated.

The report states the dog's owner came after his pet and "when the victim was bent over picking up his dog, the suspect struck him in the face. The suspect hit the victim so hard that his watch fell off."

It also states the victim's "top and bottom lips were split, swollen and bleeding."

Shad gave Channel 4 his side of the story, saying: "I was going on an evening jog in the park and I was attacked not once, but twice by an angry dog. I was scared. I was threatened and I panicked. It was aggressive. It was fighting very hard. I pushed him (the dog's owner), told him to get off of me, and a punch was thrown. I have a fear of dogs. It was regrettable, but I was definitely scared. I called 911 as soon as I got home and gave my report to the police."

Shad also said the dog was not on a leash, which is against the law, and that the dog bit him, according to the police incident report. However, the report stated Shad had no injuries.

"I didn't see the dog bite him. I did see the dog barking and running after him," Bartosik said.

Shad is not facing any charges in connection with this incident. Police said it's up to the victim to pursue any charges with the state attorney's office.