Police Officer Shoots Pit Bull After Pair Attack Dogs

One officer discharged his side arm fatally wounding one pit bull, saying he feared for the safety of responding police.

Salem-News.com

(BEAVERTON, Ore.) - Beaverton Police responded to a report today at 2:25 p.m. from a woman who said she had two pit bulls in her backyard attacking her dogs.

Detective Pam Yazzolino with Beaverton P.D., says this happened in the 11700 block of SW Butte Lane.

"The victim said her yard was fenced and her two older dogs were outside when she heard a commotion and realized the pitbulls were in her yard attacking her 12 year old Boston Terrier mix and her 12 year old Labrador Retriever mix."

Yazzolino says the two tan and white pit bulls had killed the Boston Terrier and were still attacking the Labrador mix when police arrived, adding that the officers who hear the noise from the yard and looked over the fence and saw the attack.

"The pit bulls heard the officers and turned their attention towards them, running to the fence looking for a way out."

"One of the dogs found a gap in the fence and was attempting to get out. The officers on scene felt the pitbulls aggression had turned towards them and were in fear for their safety."

One officer discharged his side arm fatally wounding one pit bull according to Yazzolino. She says the second pit bull ran to the other side of the yard and remained there.

"The owner of the two pit bulls approached police while looking for her dogs. The gate had accidently been left open and once it was realized they were gone she immediately went out to look."

Yazzolino says the Beaverton Police Department will coordinate with Washington County Animal Control on Tuesday regarding possible enforcement actions.