NEVADA -- Just before 2:30 p.m. today, during a traffic stop near the intersection of Roop Street and Little Lane, an officer was attacked by a large dog described as looking similar to a pit bull.
The officer sustained minor injuries to his right leg and was directed to obtain medical treatment. The dog was shot and killed.
The officer pulled over a vehicle driven by a female identified as Terra Smythe. The passenger in the car was identified as Kevin Parrish.
Upon running both names, the officer discovered that Parrish had a felony warrant out for his arrest.
He began arresting Parish. According to reports, Smythe became confrontational and agitated and opened the drivers-side door to her car, allowing a large dog to escape and attack the officer.
The officer attempted to ward off the dog, who continued to attack. The dog was shot - there are conflicting reports at this juncture as to whether the officer being attacked shot the dog, or whether another deputy did so.
"It's horrible to read about this sort of thing, because we read it and we picture our own pets," said sheriff Ken Furlong. "The animals cannot be held at fault. The owners must maintain control."
This is the second incident this week in which a dog has been fired at. In the first incident a local property owner was attacked. The dog survived in that incident.
Sheriff Furlong indicated in a phone interview that eyewitness accounts were consistent with the accounts of all officers involved.
Both Smythe and Parrish were arrested. This case is under ongoing investigation.
(Carson Now - Feb 24, 2012)
