BAYONNE, NJ -- Five persons, including two Bayonne police officers, were injured tonight while attempting to break up a dog fight at 28th Street and Avenue E in Bayonne, police said.
A female resident was walking her three pit bulls on leashes when two of the dogs began to fight, police said.
When the woman attempted to break up the fight, one of the dogs turned on her and bit her leg, police said.
When a friend came to her aid, the dog bit her on the chest and arm, said Deputy Chief Ralph Scianni.
Then a male neighbor rushed over to help them and restrain the aggressive dog and it bit him on the left calf, his left tricep, and his forearm, Scianni said.
Officers arrived at 6:19 p.m. and tranquilized the aggressive dog, but two officers were injured in the process when a tranquilizer dart exploded, he said.
"One officer was got hit with the tranquilizer (chemicals) in his eyes and the second officer got hit with the spray ... in his mouth," Scianni said.
The three bite victims were taken by ambulance to Bayonne Medical Center for stitches while the officers were taken to the hospital by police car, he said.
Their conditions could not be updated tonight.
Bayonne Animal Control has taken custody of the aggressive dog and will conduct an investigation that will include quarantining the dog for 10 days, Scianni said.
The dog's owner said tonight that the name of the dog is Max. "He's a beautiful animal. I feel bad, but I'm afraid of him now." she said.
No charges were filed against the owner.
(The Jersey Journal - July 27, 2011)
