Fort Walton Beach/Freeport -- An American Bald Eagle is recovering at the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge in Fort Walton Beach following an attack early Wednesday morning. Wildlife officials were called to assist Walton County deputies with the injured animal, but exactly how the bird acquired its wounds is uncertain.

“We are led to believe he came into contact with the dogs that were found next door or another theory is he could have been in a territorial dispute with another eagle and the wounds could have been caused by the talons” said Amanda Wilkerson, Director of Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge.

The eagle suffered lacerations to the head and abdomen, and lost a portion of its beak.

“The wounds that he had would be very similar to the type of wounds you’d get from a dog attack” said Wilkserson.

Rebecca Jenkins lives near the rescue scene in Freeport, and even though she does have four dogs at her residence, she does not feel they were the culprits.

“I don’t think it was any of our dogs because they wouldn’t have lasted too long, but I know it was like that before it got into our yard so they don’t know exactly what happen to it” said Rebecca Jenkins, Freeport resident.

The eagle received stitches and will be closely watched for a few days, before possibly being released back into the wild.