VICTORIA -- A man who was stabbed in downtown Victoria Saturday night tells CTV News Vancouver Island the incident occurred because he told his alleged assailant to stop urinating in a trash can near city hall.

The man, who asked not to be identified, told CTV News he was rolling a joint in Centennial Square when he noticed the other man urinating and suggested using a nearby public washroom instead.

He says he was then punched and tackled by a third man, then slashed with "a 12-inch knife." He showed CTV News the gash in his forearm where the blade made contact.

Victoria police appealed to the public for information about the stabbing in a news release Sunday.

They say officers were in Centennial Square when a man in medical distress approached them shortly after 6 p.m. Saturday.

The man told the officers he had been stabbed after an argument with another man.

The victim said he then ran away and was chased by a second man.

Police say the victim was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The suspect who allegedly stabbed the victim is described as being accompanied by a husky dog, having dreadlocks and wearing a green shirt and a knife on his waistband.

The second suspect is described as a 25-to-30-year-old man with long hair, wearing aviator sunglasses.

Police ask anyone with information about the incident to call them at 250-995-7654, extension 1. Tips can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

With files from The Canadian Press