LAKEWOOD – A pit bull running loose through a local neighborhood was shot by an officer after police attempted to capture the dog earlier today.
At approximately 11:5 a.m., Lakewood Officers Cameron Rose and Anthony Prisco responded to Pine Acres Estates for reports of a dog running loose in the area. The dog was running east on Erica Road.
Capt. Gregory Staffordsmith stated that the officers tried to get ahead of the dog and approach him near 52 Erica Road. The dog was acting aggressively towards both officers as well as towards a nearby Golden Retriever on a neighboring porch.
“As the pit bull increased his aggression, the golden retriever ran from the porch, through an open gate to a chain link fence and continued into the backyard,” stated Staffordsmith. “Fearing that the pit bull may attempt to cause harm to the other dog, Officer Rose attempted to close the open gate, however, the pit bull turned his aggression towards him.”
[adrotate banner="278"]Officer Rose put distance between himself and the dog, retreating to the other side of his patrol car. When the dog began to close the gap, growling and snarling at him, Officer Rose fired his weapon at the dog.
The dog suffered a gunshot wound and ran to a neighboring yard awaiting transport to a nearby veterinary hospital, according to police.
