TEXAS -- Monday, police released more details in the fatal shooting of a pit bull guard dog that attacked officers responding to a call behind a busy shopping center.
Officers received a report of homeless people drinking and growing marijuana at a wrecker yard behind the Target shopping center at 421 61st S., which is a dead end.
Galveston police arrived about 1 p.m. Sunday to the fenced-in yard, which is an overflow impound lot for a private towing company.
The lot is overgrown and unsecured, police Lt. Michael Gray said. Officers saw a pit bull tied on the back part of the property and decided to wait for the city’s animal control officer to arrive before inspecting that part of the yard, Gray said.
Police found a trailer in another part of the yard and noticed an air-conditioning unit running. Officers tried to see whether anyone was home.
“Officers began to walk through the unsecured gate of the fence surrounding the trailer when a loose pit bull lunged at them from under the structure,” Gray said. “Officers retreated and were chased by the animal until they fired in defense.”
A second, unrestrained pit bull from another area of the property charged at the officers, who fired on that dog, Gray said. That dog scampered away.
“The owner advised that both animals have a history with animal control and one has been quarantined at least three times for biting people,” Gray said.
(Galveston Daily News - May 1, 2012)
