Officer Fatally Shoots Dog After It Attacks 2 People In SFV: LAPD

LOS ANGELES, CA — A police officer shot and killed a dog after it bit the officer and another man during the cleanup of a San Fernando Valley homeless encampment Tuesday morning, authorities said.

The incident occurred about 10:45 a.m. near Bradley Avenue and Montague Street in Pacoima, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

The dog got loose during the cleanup and bit the officer and another man, later identified as a sanitation worker, KTLA reported.

"During the clean-up, a large, unrestrained dog approached and attacked one of the workers, biting both the worker and officer repeatedly," the LAPD said in a statement.

The officer was transported to a local hospital for treatment of a leg injury, according to the station. The sanitation worker was also hospitalized, police said.

Both were in stable condition later Tuesday afternoon, according to police.

Councilmember Monica Rodriguez released a statement following the incident: “Encampments present serious and ongoing safety risks, and this is another example of why we must move people off the streets and into stable housing. I continue to work with urgency to address encampments and unattended animals to ensure safety for the surrounding community. I extend my deepest gratitude to the LAPD officers, City of Los Angeles Sanitation workers, and LAHSA outreach workers who bravely address these encampments every day.”

City News Service contributed to this report.