MINNESOTA -- An Austin police officer used his weapon in self-defense against a charging pit bull early Sunday, resulting in the dog's death.
The officer, who was not named, had responded to calls at 8:29 a.m. Sunday saying that a bicyclist was cornered in northwest Austin by a large brown and white St. Bernard; one of the callers was the bicyclist. When the officer arrived, the dog fled. The officer tracked it to the 1100 block of 11th Street, where neighbors helped identify where the dog lived.
As the officer approached the house, the St. Bernard was seen in the backyard over a small fence. According to Austin Police Chief Brian Krueger, the officer approached the house when the north door opened and a head poked out.
A pitbull emerged from the home at that same time, growling and barking before "charging aggressively," Krueger said. The officer was forced to draw his weapon and discharge one round, Krueger said.
The shot hit the pitbull in the head, but the dog did not die. The officer and owner, Ben Clennon, quickly transported the pitbull to Austin Veterinary Clinic, where a veterinarian recommended the animal be euthanized. It was done with Clennon's permission.
No other injuries were reported from the incident, though Clennon may still face charges.
A second officer was sent to Clennon's house to deal with the St. Bernard. He discovered that it was owned by a renter at the same residence. That renter was cited for a dog running at large and given notice of potentially owning a dangerous dog.
(Post-Bulletin - Dec 3, 2012)
