|
OCEAN BEACH, Calif.—
Police gunned down a pet pit bull in Ocean Beach Wednesday after it attacked two people including a San Diego police officer.It happened on Newport Avenue early Wednesday evening. Police say a woman was attacked first.
"I saw a lady limping away and clearly she had been bitten by the dog," said Rebecca Barnett who witnessed the incident.
Officers say two undercover policemen tried to stop the dog's owner.
"They identified themselves produced their badges and said, 'SDPD -- please stop'!" said Sgt. Misty Cedrun. "He continued to run."
The officers then chased the man into a nearby parking lot.
"The pit bull turned on one of the undercover officers and started biting his leg," said Sgt. Cedrun. "The other officer fired a couple of rounds into the dog and eventually put him down."
Rio Mesta said she knows the dog owner and his pet dog named Blue. She was at the site Wednesday and said she was horrified.
"You don't senselessly shoot an animal six times," Mesta said. "I played with him 24 hours ago -- put my face in his face and he licked my face -- so not a real threat there people."
Mesta and some others felt that killing the dog wasn't necessary.
"I am just aghast right now. I'm appalled," said Heidi Cohen-wolff. "We know darn well he's got defense training. He's got tranquilizer guns. He's got many other options."
San Diego police said the officer felt threatened and had no other alternative.
"Some people might think that's excessive but in this instance, that pit bull was actively attacking an undercover police officer," said Sgt. Cedrun. "So there's only one way for us to stop that threat."
Cedrun said the dog had a history of threatening behavior. She said many citizens came forward to say they have seen the dog lunging at people. Cedrun said the dog owner, who is homeless, faces misdemeanor charges for the attack and for running from officers. The woman who was attacked had very minor injuries. The officer was taken to the hospital where he was treated for minor bites to his leg.
