Sgt. Jason Van Meter with the Salem Police Department said he was responding to a 911 call at a home on Lynda Lane NW last Thursday evening, when he feared a woman inside the home was in danger.
"I felt she was going to be assaulted so I opened the door and that's when the dog came out and essentially jumped on my chest and bit my face," Van Meter said.
Officers said an 80 pound pit bull charged Van Meter, backing him up against a wall, so they were forced to shoot. Van Meter said he did consider other options of force.
"The problem with using a taser on a dog biting your face is that it makes it bite harder," Van Meter explained.
He and another officer made decision to shoot the dog to protect both Van Meter and the other neighbors outside watching the commotion.
Van Meter said he loves dogs, and did not want this to happen. He said that is exactly why he warned the couple arguing inside the home to lock up their dog before he entered.
"I yelled several times to put the dog away. I yelled loud enough people across the street heard me," Van Meter said.
The domestic dispute is still under investigation. No one was cited or arrested.
Van Meter said the emergency room doctors were able to "sew and glue" his nose back together, but he has a long road to recovery ahead.
(KOIN - Jan 24, 2012)