PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Police say a group of pit bulls attacked and killed a French bulldog and injured its owner in the Port Richmond section of the city Wednesday night.
Around 9:30 p.m., police responded to a resident’s backyard at Sepviva and East Venango streets for a report of someone screaming. Officers discovered five pit bulls had attacked the French bulldog in the yard.
The French bulldog’s owner, a 37-year-old man, tried to intervene and was bitten multiple times on the leg and back. He was taken to the hospital and is expected to be physically OK.
The French bulldog died from its injuries.
When the two responding officers entered the home with the pit bulls, officials say the dogs growled and advanced toward them. One officer deployed a Taser but it was ineffective, so both officers discharged their guns several times, striking one pit bull in the paw.
All five dogs were eventually contained by the owner.
The officers were not injured. They have been placed on administrative duty during the investigation, as is police protocol. Investigators are reviewing body-worn cameras.