Detective fatally shoots dog after it attacks officer during probation check

CALIFORNIA -- A police detective fatally shot a pit bull that attacked him and an FBI agent during a probation check at a Mount Hope-area home Wednesday, authorities reported.

The dog got loose and went after the lawmen outside the house in the 700 block of 40th Street about 9 a.m., according to San Diego police. The terrier bit both of them, leaving them with leg and hand injuries, SDPD public-affairs Officer Ed Zwibel said.

When the federal agent's attempt to subdue the animal by whacking it with a baton failed, the detective pulled his service pistol and shot it three times.

The dog, a 17-month-old male, died at the scene. Medics took the men to a hospital for treatment of minor cuts and puncture wounds, Zwibel said.

Prior to the attack, the pit bull's owner -- whose home is posted with several beware-of-dog signs -- told the lawmen she had secured the animal along with her other canines, SDPD public-affairs Officer Ed Zwibel said.

(San Diego 6 - Dec 18, 2013)