Police in Delta, B.C. had to shoot and kill an attacking pitbull on Saturday night.
A veteran Delta officer with his police dog and a second officer were on a routine patrol along the shoreline when they were attacked by two pitbulls, said a police news release on Sunday.
One officer was able to strike one of the dogs with his baton, causing the animal to flee. However, the second pitbull bit the other officer in the hand. After several unsuccessful attempts to fend off the dog, the officer was "forced to retrieve his firearm and discharge one shot," killing it, said police.
The canine unit officer required several stitches in his hand, which may also have some broken bones, said police. The police dog suffered puncture wounds to its head, ear and eye area.
The second officer suffered minor injuries.
The pitbulls came from a nearby houseboat, reported News 1130.
The pitbulls' owner and a second person arrived and were allegedly "attempting to obstruct the investigation," said the police news release. Charges are pending against them.
Gerard Brewer, the slain pitbull's owner, said he was asleep when the incident happened, reported B.C. CTV. He said his son and the son's girlfriend arrived on the scene shortly after and were accused of setting the dogs loose, a claim he denies.
Brewer, who has lived in a houseboat under the Annacis Channel Bridge for two years, told CBC News that he doesn't pay moorage fees, which makes his home illegal in the federal waters.
Earlier reports that the dog's owner barricaded himself in the houseboat with other dogs and set it on fire were false, said Delta police Const. Lisa Coupar.
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