Pit bulls killed after attacking 5 kids

A pair of pit bulls were shot and killed after they attacked five children while on a rampage Friday in Stansbury Park.

The owners of the two 1 1/2-year-old dogs were cited for having vicious dogs after the dogs got loose from their back yard, near 150 Country Club Circle, said Tooele County Sheriff's Sgt. Brad Patch.

The dogs ran through the neighborhood and across a golf course before they attacked a 6-year-old girl and her 13-year-old brother. Patch said the dogs bit their arms and legs before a man chased them away with a golf club.

The pit bulls continued running aimlessly until they attacked two 14-year-old girls. All four children received puncture wounds from the dog bites and were taken to Mountain West Medical Center for treatment.

Before the dogs were located, they attacked another 13-year-old boy. Patch said the boy was wearing jeans that the dogs couldn't bite through.

Sheriff's officers cornered the dogs on one of the greens and shot them, as one nearly got away.

"We couldn't take a chance of them getting away and running into more children," Patch said.

The owners said the dogs are normally contained in the back yard, but the wind had forced the gate open, Patch said. Police have not been called to the house for animal problems before.

"The owners are more upset about the children being attacked than about losing the dogs," Patch said. They will be required to appear before a judge to determine their liability, but Patch said the owners will be held accountable for any medical costs. The children are expected to be fine.

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