Posted on 05/18/2005 6:18:56 PM PDT by kingattax
A Melbourne police dog was recovering Wednesday after being repeatedly bitten by a stray pit bull that jumped inside a patrol car, according to a report.
A patrolman shot the stray dog in the chest after wrestling it out of the back of the caged patrol car with other officers, officials told Local 6 News partner Florida Today.
A veterinarian later put the wounded pit bull -- which had no tag or collar -- to death.
"It's an unfortunate situation but the dog was aggressive and ran past the officers and attacked the K-9. He could have bitten a bystander or an officer," said Cmdr. Ron Bell, spokesman for the Melbourne Police Department.
The attack happened about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday on Tucker Street in south Melbourne just after the police dog, a 3-year-old German Shepherd named Victor, helped officers search for a suspect in a police investigation. The suspect was not found.
"Our officer had walked the K-9 back to the car when the stray pit bull ran and jumped into the back of the open car door. The dog lunged for Victor's neck," Bell said.
At least two officers - including Officer Greg Hughes, Victor's partner -- pulled the adult male pit bull and Victor from the back of the car.
One officer then used a stun gun to in an unsuccessful attempt to incapacitate the dog and loosen its grip on Victor's neck, Bell said.
Hughes used his handgun to shoot the stray dog.
Victor suffered bites along the back of his right ear and over the left eye, Bell said.
He was taken to an area animal clinic for treatment and is expected to be off duty for the next few weeks, Bell said.
There are five dogs on the Melbourne Police Department K-9 force. Victor has been working since 2004 and is used in crowd control situations, tracking and building searches, Bell said.
Prayers go out for the noble Victor!
Ok, I will be now be flamed by every Pit Bull owner BUT....
even a stun gun didn't slow this dog down.HELLO!!!!
This could have been a child. I am a dog lover, but the pit bull is just too dangerous in society.
I read about pit bull attacks on other dogs and children on a r-e-g-u-l-a-r basis. These attacks are certainly not uncommon. Who needs dogs like these in a civilized society?
I couldn't agree with you more! The whole pit bull ownership thing is a real ego trip with these people or the stupid ones who say "It's how they are brought up..my dog is different." That is until they attack.
I LOVE dogs, but these pitbulls have been BRED to be dangerous. I don't know of other dogs who are BRED physically and mentally to BE dangerous.
This is the problem. We all read about 'pit bull' attacks on a regular basis.
What we DON'T read is that dangerous dog laws for various cities and towns (and homeowners insurance companies) have redefined the breed PIT BULL. Pit bull covers a dozen breeds and mixes.
So what I would like to know, is the media reporting that the dog attacks are from the American Pit Bull Terrier? Or are all the PIT BULL attacks from any of the following:
>>>American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Bull Terriers, American Bulldogs, American Pit Bull Terriers, Olde English Bulldogs, Presa Canarios, Cane Corsos, Boxer mixes, Mastiff mixes, and any other breed or mix that resembles these dogs.<<<<<
That is what is in the dangerous dog laws from ordinances and insurance companies as defining a PIT BULL.
Firearms... the only cure for Pit Bulls.
Thanks for the clarification.
Police dogs always seem like snitches (not bitches) to me.
No one likes a 'telltale' with a tail.....no matter where it is located.
What?
Woff, woof.....woof,woof - woof.
Clearer now I hope.
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