RESEDA : Man Held in Attack on Estranged Wife

Police arrested the estranged husband of a blind, wheelchair-bound woman who was sexually assaulted in her home here after her attacker restrained and gagged her seeing-eye dog, authorities said Monday.

Soon after the incident Saturday, police arrested West Hills horseback riding instructor Terry Foladare, 41, who was being held at the West Valley jail in lieu of $300,000, said Detective Harry Hollywood.

According to police reports, the 26-year-old victim contacted officers Saturday night after first calling a friend for help. Police took her to an unidentified hospital to confirm her account, then arrested Foladare at his home after she identified him as her attacker.

There was no sign of a forced entry at her Reseda Boulevard apartment, and her dog’s snout had been taped shut while it was restrained in the kitchen, said Hollywood and Detective Nancy Severns.

Severns said the victim, who works with horses, has a broken leg, apparently from a work-related injury. The detective said it was unclear whether the victim was temporarily wheelchair-bound as a result of her leg injury, or had other disabilities.

She and Foladare were married three years ago, but had been living apart for several months, said Severns. Detectives plan to continue their investigation today, she added.