Dog, owner injured in Salt Lake pit bull attack

A small dog is in veterinary care and its owner suffered minor injuries in a pit bull attack Saturday afternoon.

A couple and their two Chihuahuas were exiting a car Saturday near 100 West and 400 North when they were spotted by an unattended pit bull crossing the street.

The pit bull locked his jaws around the head of the nearest Chihuahua, but the owner quickly pulled the pit bull off, said Julie Smith, Salt Lake County Animal Control officer.

The owner's hands and forearms sustained minor cuts and scrapes, and the Chihuahua ended up with lacerations to its head, Smith said. The injured dog is expected to survive, she said.

"Owners of pit bulls have got to start taking responsibility or the breed could be banned in Utah," Smith said. "We often chuckle, even though it not a joking matter, but what would animal services do without pit bulls? They account for the majority of our calls."

— Clayton Norlen