Unleashed Pit Bull Shot After Biting LB Officer's Pants

A Long Beach police officer investigating a complaint about a loose pit bull was bit in the pants by the animal, who was then shot by the officer fearing more attack, police said Tuesday.

Officers were called to the 1900 block of Pine Avenue about 7:30 p.m. Monday, according to the Long Beach Police Department. The officers learned that a person said he had been bit by the dog which was running loose in the neighborhood. While they were investigating, a witness said he knew of the dog and its owner's whereabouts. Officers approached an apartment building and saw several people standing out in front watching the pit bull, who was walking around with no leash and no apparent owner around.

As an officer moved in, the dog began to growl and then attacked the officer, biting a pant leg. The officer shot the dog, fearing another attack and worrying about the nearby residents. Animal control officers took the dog to an animal hospital. The officer was not injured, although his pants had several punctures. Detectives learned that a resident had been bitten by the dog during the previous week.

The dog's fate was not immediately known. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Long Beach Police Department Detectives Scott Lash or Donald Goodman at (562) 570-7355.

--City News Service and Nancy Wride contributed to this report.