Portsmouth, Va. - A police officer shot and killed two pit bulls found violently attacking each other in the back yard of a Portsmouth home; and the owner of those dogs is now facing cruelty charges.
It happened on Saturday, April 13, 2013. Shortly before 9 a.m., Animal Control officers were called to a home in the 2300 block of Peach Street in response to complaints of "vicious dogs".
When officers arrived, they found an adult male and adult female pit bull in a cage. The cage was inside a shed in the back yard. The two dogs were actively attacking each other, officials say, and Animal Control officers made several attempts to safely take control of each dog and remove them from the cage. Portsmouth police were then called to assist.
The female pit bull became more aggressive, and continued to attack the male. Both dogs were suffering from serious visible injuries. A responding police officer then fired two rounds from a shot gun, striking both dogs. Both dogs died at the scene.
A 25-year-old woman has been charged with cruelty to animals, and inadequate care of animals.
The woman was not taken into custody, but was issued a summons to appear in Portsmouth General District Court.
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