Police Say Officer Shot Pit Bull After Dog Charged

Police say the dog was aggressive toward several people.

Salem-News.com

(SALEM, Ore.) - Salem Police responded to a report of a pit bull running loose and charging at people in the area of Liberty Elementary School located in the 4800 block of Liberty Road S. Wednesday at 6:52 p.m.

Lieutenant Keith A. Blair with Salem Police says the officer received additional information that the pit bull had attempted to bite a female that was walking nearby.

"When Officer Jacob Pratt arrived on scene, he located the pit bull at a residence at 4912 Liberty Road S. The pit bull was unsecured and displaying aggressive behavior toward Officer Pratt and several citizens."

Blair said, "While waiting for an animal control stick to arrive to control the dog, the pit bull charged Officer Pratt, and as a result, Officer Pratt shot the dog with his firearm. The dog was deceased at the scene."

Blair says that from the investigation, it was learned that the 2 1/2 year old male Pit Bull had charged and lunged at several people in an attempt to bite them.

"At least one female was nearly bitten by the dog. The owners of the pit bull, Christopher Mann and Amanda Rasmussen, arrived home at 4912 Liberty Road S shortly after the incident. They indicated that their pit bull had been secured inside of their fenced backyard and they did not know how their gate was opened which allowed their dog to get out."

Blair says the investigation into the incident is continuing.