Portsmouth officer kills pit bull

VIRGINIA -- A Portsmouth police officer shot and killed a pit bull Sunday morning, according to Misty Holley with the Portsmouth Police Department.

At 8:25 a.m., officers responded to the 70 block of Ericsson Street for an an animal cruelty call and found three pit bulls inside a garage. One of the officers walked towards the garage and when one of the dogs went towards the officer, the officer shot it.

Holley said the injured dog ran away and was later located by animal control in the 40 block of Prospect Parkway. The dog died in route to the animal hospital.

An investigation revealed the dogs' owner just moved out of the house and had left adequate food for the animals while he was looking for a new place for them to stay. Holley said no animal cruetly charges were filed against the owner.

(WAVY - Oct 8, 2013)