Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Officer shoots dog after being attacked

EDGEWATER, CO -- Two officers were injured Monday after they were called to a home where three dogs were attacking a postal carrier.

Edgewater Police says the officers responded to the call in the 2400 block of Newland Street at 2:12 p.m. after the postal carrier called 911 stating he was being attacked by a large pit bull, a large Rottweiler and another dog. The carrier says two of the dogs broke through a screen door and began chasing him.

When officers arrived, they say two teenage girls were attempting to control the pit bull and the Rottweiler. As the officers got out of their vehicle and approached the girls and the dogs, the officers say the Rottweiler got out of its collar and ran, full speed, towards one of the officers, attacking him.

The officer was bit in the thigh several times. He was treated and released at the scene.

After the first officer was able to get away from the Rottweiler, police say the second officer was pinned against his patrol car by the dog. The officer says he was bitten by the dog, and then he pulled out his weapon and shot the one time. The second officer was taken to the emergency room and was released.

Officers say the pit bull went back into the home after the officer shot the dog. Police say the dog was taken from the home before they had a chance to impound it.

Officers have impounded the pit bull before. They were called to the same house twice in one day in May after police received calls that the pit bull was chasing and trying to bite the same postal carrier.

Investigators say they will follow up with the owner and attempt to impound the pit bull again.

Edgewater Police were also called to the same address in 2010 and have issued the same warnings to the owner before.

The name of the owner has not been released pending an investigation.

(KUSA - August 1, 2011)