Police in Reading shoot pit bull, say it tried to attack officer

PENNSYLVANIA -- Reading police shot and killed a pit bull after it attacked an officer in northwest Reading, police said Wednesday.

Lt. Andrew Winters said officers responded to a report of two pit bulls running loose at Lincoln and West Windsor streets about 3:45 p.m. Monday.

He provided this further account:

Officers found the pit bulls in the 400 block of West Windsor and both dogs ran onto a porch. The dogs showed their teeth at the officers.

Police yelled toward the home, thinking the dogs may belong to the occupants. The dogs ran toward one of the officers, who became trapped between his patrol vehicle and another vehicle. He shot one of the dogs when it tried to bite him.

The other dog was taken by the Animal Rescue League of Berks County. Police have not identified the owners.

(Reading Eagle - January 15, 2014)