Officer shoots dog
NEWPORT NEWS -- Police officers shot and killed a dog that tried to bite a 12-year-old, officials say.
It happened around 8:35 p.m. Friday on Baughman Court.
Officers were serving a warrant in an unrelated incident when the officer saw several people speaking to a man with a pit bull, advising him to keep the dog close to him.
Spokesman Lou Thurston says the dog became agitated, tried to knock the boy down and bite him, so the officers responded and made the decision to shoot the dog to protect the child and others.
The child wasn't hurt; however, the dog had ripped his clothing, Thurston noted.
He says the man didn't own the dog; its owner has been located.
The investigation continues and no charges have been filed.
Thurston says the officers remain on regular duty and an internal review of the incident is being conducted, which is standard procedure whenever a service weapon is fired.
