Dog attacks, bites mother protecting children

CALIFORNIA -- Police shot and killed an aggressive dog Friday after it attacked a Tehama County woman. She was protecting her two kids in her own backyard.

Corning Police said it happened in south Corning around 1:30 p.m. at a home in the 1400 block of Sixth Avenue.

Norma Rodriguez, 32, told officers her neighbor's pit bull got onto her property and was growling at her and her children. She quickly sent them inside while trying to “shoo” the dog away, turning her back on the canine.

The dog bit Rodriguez on her leg, causing four deep puncture wounds.

The dog’s owner was not home at the time but his roommate said the animal was purposely left loose in their yard.

“He had them on big leashes and chains,” said roommate Leonard Thayer. “The pit bull was on a fire hose because it would [chew and tear] through anything else. He took it off the fire hose for the last three or four days. I don't know why."

Thayer said he had not seen his roommate in several days.

As is standard policy, officers tried to quarantine the dog to check for rabies.

The pit bull made advances toward police. Officers used pepper spray to subdue the animal but that did not work.

The dog aggressively lunged at officers and was shot to death.

Rodriguez was treated by medical personnel at the scene and was released.

Corning Police said criminal charges will be filed against the dog's owner.

(KRCRTV.COM - April 5, 2014)