Deputy Kills Dog During Attack In LA County: Sheriff

LANCASTER, CA — A Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy shot and killed a dog that was attacking a man on Monday in Lancaster, according to authorities.

Deputies responded to a home in the 43200 block of 20th Street West after receiving a report of the incident around 10 a.m. and arrived to find the man lying in the front yard while a pit bull “was actively and viciously attacking him,” the sheriff’s department said in an advisory. The man was unresponsive and trapped in the yard, which was fenced with a locked gate, according to the department.

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“A deputy entered the yard in an effort to stop the attack,” the advisory said. “After issuing verbal commands that were ineffective, the deputy discharged their firearm. Only the attacking dog was struck, immediately stopping the attack. The dog was pronounced deceased at the scene.”

The man was taken to a local hospital and was in stable condition, according to the department, which added the shooting deputy was given access to wellness and peer support resources.

“When our deputies arrived, they encountered a life-threatening emergency and acted without hesitation to save a man's life," Lancaster Station Capt. Paul Bartlett said in the advisory.

The dog belonged to a family member who lived with the victim, according to the department, which added that the circumstances that led to the attack were under investigation.

Monday’s shooting comes after Los Angeles police last month shot and killed a family dog after responding to a report of a woman screaming, who turned out to be celebrating the Knicks NBA title win, as previously reported by Patch.