MARYLAND -- Police say one man and two women had to be hospitalized Sunday after two pit bull terriers attacked them for no known reason.
"Their injuries are severe enough where they are going to require multiple visits back to the wound center to have those treated from foot injuries, to arm injuries, to leg injuries," says Lt. Paul Kifer, with the Hagerstown Police Department.
Police say the pit bulls were running loose and cornered them. One of the pit bulls bit one of the officers but his injuries did not require medical treatment.
"The officer discharged his firearm striking one dog in the back," says Lt. Kifer. "The bullet passed through that dog and apparently hit the other dog also. So with one shot he actually wound up shooting both dogs."
One dog was three years old and the other three months old. Both dogs had to be put down.
"The owner has been notified," says Lt. Kifer. "The dogs apparently were suppose to be inside the house, don't know why they were out."
Several other residents suffered minor injuries while trying to assist the officers. Officials have a few tips on what to do if a dog is attacking you.
"Never turn and run if you can back away, back away slowly," says Katherine Cooker with the Humane Society of Washington County. "If the dog knocks you to the ground you roll into a very tight ball."
"The experts basically say that you should grab a dog by the snout and direct the dogs head that way or grab the dog by the ears," says Lt. Kifer.
The name of the owner of the dogs has not been released. As of Monday afternoon, no charges have been filed.
(WHAG - Dec 3, 2012)
