PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A police officer shot and killed two dogs during an attack in West Philadelphia, investigators said.
It happened around 9 a.m. Wednesday on North 57th Street, near Media Street. Police said a man's pit bull was fighting with a stray pit bill on his porch.
The man called out for help to an 18-year-old woman who was walking nearby. She tried to break up the fight using mace, but the man's second pit bull ran out and bit her on the arm and ankle, officials said. The woman ran away, and the three dogs started fighting with each other.
The responding police officer fired multiple gunshots, killing both the stray and one of the man's dogs.
Medics transported the injured woman to the hospital for treatment. The 57-year-old man sustained a bite wound to the chest but refused medical attention.
The Philadelphia Animal Care and Control Team took custody of the two deceased dogs. Authorities said body camera footage captured the incident and an investigation is ongoing.
The 34-year-old officer who shot the dogs — a five-year veteran of the police force — has been placed on administrative leave pending the investigation, as is police protocol.
