06/04-11/08 Pit Bulls Shot by Police

Cincinnati Police Officer Shoots Pit Bull
(06/04/08): Cincinnati, OH - A police officer shot and killed a pit bull at Ashland and Burdette avenues this morning. Sgt. Andre Smith fired his service revolver after he tried to use his Taser but it malfunctioned during deployment. Police were called to the area after receiving a complaint about loose pit bulls. The pit bull ran loose in a yard and then jumped a fence, chasing people and children in the street near a bus stop.

Cincinnati Police Kill Another Pit Bull -- Same Day
(06/04/08): Cincinnati, OH - In separate incident in the same day in Cincinnati, several people joined in to fight off two pit bulls that were attacking a woman who was walking her small dog. One of the witnesses, Joyce Lovette said, "We were screaming for help and (the third woman) laid on top of one of the (pit bull) dogs until police got here. It was terrible." Lovette used an umbrella and a man used a pipe to beat off the dogs. Read the full story here.

Pit Bulls Seized in Meth Raid
(06/04/08): Long Beach, MI - Pit bulls and meth makers, who could have guessed at the combination? Seven pit bull dogs were removed from a Long Beach home after a night raid at a meth lab. They also arrested four people, including one wanted on a warrant for a charge of aggravated assault with a weapon. "It was very apparent these individuals were cooking methamphetamine on a daily basis," said officer Brisolara. But the officer can't answer to why more police departments fail to support prohibiting pit bull ownership to felons.

Haltom City Cop Shoots At Pit Bull, Hits Teen
(06/06/08): Haltom City, TX - A local teenager is recovering from a gunshot wound after a police officer shot him. Apparently the cop had been trying to shoot the kid's pit bull. A spokesman for the North Richland Hills Police Department, told reporters that the officer was attempting to arrest a juvenile suspect at the time of the incident. Just before the arrest, a pit bull lunged at the officer. Unfortunately, a teenage boy was standing near the dog.

The officer fired twice at the dog -- but both bullets hit 17-year-old Kevin Valenzuela. He was standing about 15 feet behind the dog. The officer, a four-year veteran did apologize to Valenzuela before he was taken away in an ambulance. But that is not enough for the victim's family. "They had no right to go onto my property, in the backyard, to give a warrant for a child who does not even live here," said Martha Moreno, the victim's sister.

Landlord Shoots, Kills Two Threatening Pit Bulls
(06/08/08:) Cincinnati, OH - This marks the third shooting of a pit bull in Cincinnati in less than a week. After a woman was chased in and around her apartment complex by a loose pit bull, the landlord responded to the scene. He shot and killed the loose pit bull and another that was penned in a cage. The penned pit bull was throwing itself so violently against the cage door, the landlord thought the dog would bust through. The landlord was not charged with a crime. Read full story here.

Another Officer Shot By Partner During Pit Bull Attack
(06/09/08): Stockton, CA - In case readers are confused, this is not the same case that was reported last week in Chicago where a police officer was shot by another officer trying to defend himself from a pit bull attack. In Stockton, California, a fellow officer shot a female parole officer after a pit bull attacked them during a search for a parolee.

Why don't more police departments support regulating pit bulls?

The incident happened at a home after officers had detained three people and found a locked room in the back of the house. Officers thought a fourth parolee was hiding in the room. When officers opened the door they were attacked by a pit bull. During the struggle one officer shot at the dog but hit a female officer. The shot officer was brought to a local hospital with a non-life-threatening wound.

Pontiac Officer Fires at Pit Bull During Domestic Call
(06/10/08): Pontiac, ND - For the second time in recent weeks, an area officer was forced to shoot a pit bull dog. In this case, shots were fired while officers responded to a domestic dispute. The dog was not killed. Last month in Normal, ND, a pit bull dog eventually died from injuries after an officer says he was forced to shoot while responding to complaint about the animal.

Omaha Police Shoot, Kill Two Pit Bulls in City Park
(06/10/08): Omaha, NE - Pit bull attacks are certainly on the pick up in Omaha. Police are reacting. On Tuesday, Omaha police shot and killed two pit bull dogs in a northeast city park. Officials say 1 of the dogs charged and knocked down an off-duty officer in Miller Park. The officer shot the dog just before 7 o'clock last night. Another officer at the scene shot a second pit bull. Investigators say the two dogs were a danger to the parents and children at the park.

No Need to Name the Breed
(06/11/08): Kansas City, MO - Short but sweet out of Kansas City: A drug bust at a home on Wednesday ended with a pit bull being shot to death. Officers said they found marijuana in the home at 58th Street and Highland Avenue. Police said a dog approached an officer and was acting violent, so the officer shot it. The end.

Officer Mistakes Boxer For Pit Bull Fatally Shooting Her
(06/11/08): Medina, OH - Police are investigating after an officer shot and killed a dog. Police said the Medina officer was investigating a loud music complaint when a dog she thought was a pit bull charged at her. Witnesses said the officer shot the dog three times. The owner said the dog was a boxer and a new mother. Dennis Hanwell of the Medina City Police said, "That dog was showing aggressive tendencies as it approached the officer."

Man Shoots and Kills Pit Bull
(06/11/08): Eugene, OR - DogsBite.org hates to report that more citizens are shooting aggressive pit bulls. But police can't be everywhere all of the time, as it appears that pit bulls can. This man will not be charged because he shot the pit bull in self-defense. The man followed the animals, a pit bull and a doberman, after they attacked a cat. He got out of the car when he saw the dogs attack another cat. The pit bull turned on the man, at which point he fired two shots and killed the dog.