HAGERSTOWN, MD- 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.
"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.
Comments
I am outraged that these dogs were shot. Pitbulls are very kind, loving animals. They are not all dangerous and vicious. Centuries ago they were referred to as "nanny dogs". They watched over the children and protected and loved them. Now we categorize them as these vicious animals that should be illegal to own and breed. What is wrong with you? ANY animal or PERSON who is abused and neglected and not cared for properly is not going to react well. Not all pitbulls are for fighting. That is something some of these dogs are trained to do. They are not born that way. People need to educate themselves a little more instead of placing blame on an innocent animal. And what kind of an officer pulls his gun out and shoots a dog in the back around a crowd of people? An irresponsible one. I'm sure these dogs felt scared and threatened and multiple people chasing after them surely did not help the situation. It's sad these poor dogs, one just a puppy, have to pay for the ignorant and misguided people.
JEANNA J.
December 4, 2012 at 8:57 am
Check out liveleak.com "2 pitbulls attack smaller dog" showing how happy pits are while ripping the leg off another dog. youtube.com "CCTV pitbull kills its owner" shows a pit going for a walk and suddenly thinnking that tugging and crushing is acceptable. "pitbull vs cavalo" where a pit is "dead game" meaning "Kill or die trying", the pit bull motto given to pits by the cruel dogmen who created these masters of mauling.
Debbie B.
December 4, 2012 at 8:25 am
When pits attack without reason and do damage, they are being "good" pit bulls. These traits won/win dog fights. Pits who did not attack were culled. Ban pit breeding; let pits mercifully become extinct. Unless you support dog fighting, you will agree to this compassionate way to address the disproportionate suffering and death that surrounds pits.
Debbie B.
December 4, 2012 at 8:21 am
The old dog bite prevention advice won't work with a pit who was created to attack without reason and without warning. Proof is the numbers of elderly neighbors attacked from behind while they were stationary. Pits suffer too from these man-made mutations to maul. Pits ARE victims too. Stop making more victims now. The fact that cruel dogmen/fighters created the pit bulls is NOT sufficient reason to continue breeding them.
Debbie B.
December 4, 2012 at 8:19 am
The old dog bite prevention advice won't work with a pit who was created to attack without reason and without warning. Proof is the numbers of elderly neighbors attacked from behind while they were stationary. Pits suffer too from these man-made mutations to maul. Pits ARE victims too. Stop making more victims now. The fact that cruel dogmen/fighters created the pit bulls is NOT sufficient reason to continue breeding them.
Debbie B.
December 4, 2012 at 8:17 am
YES, I am furious that the dogs had to suffer from the owner(s) let the dogs get this way. NO GO AND PUNISH THE OWNER(S) FOR THE CRIME AND DON'T JUST GIVE THEM A WARNING!!
Teresa M.
December 3, 2012 at 11:34 pm
