Pit bull that attacked children dies after Salt Lake City officer shoots it

SALT LAKE CITY — A pit bull that was shot by a police officer after it was seen attacking several children on Tuesday has died.

The incidents began with a 13-year-old boy who had been riding a bike when two pit bulls started attacking him near the 800 South and West Temple area around 2:30 p.m. A police officer who drove by told the boy to take off riding.

Police said the dogs continued to chase the boy with the officer in pursuit. He next found the dogs attacking a pair of teenage boys at an apartment complex near 1000 S. Main, just southeast of the first attack. Salt Lake Police Sgt. Robin Snyder said the teenagers managed to drive the dogs off by kicking them. The dogs then headed west.

The officer lost track of the dogs until he heard a group of girls screaming at Jefferson Park just west of the apartment complex. The girls were holding a little dog above their heads, and when it was dropped, the pit bulls turned from attacking the girls to attacking the smaller dog, police said. The officer told the girls to run, and then he shot one of the dogs. The pit bulls scattered, the injured one heading north and the other heading south just as Animal Control officers arrived. They were able to capture both dogs.

Police said the injured pit bull was taken to a veterinary clinic, where it later died.

The officer was not placed on administrative leave but there will be an internal investigation, which is standard policy any time an officer fires a gun.

Tuesday's incidents are not an anomaly with pit bulls.

In October 2009 a boy was severely bitten in the face by a pit bull that lived across the street from him. The owner said the boy had occasionally approached his yard to poke the dog with a broom handle. The dog was quarantined and observed for aggressive behavior for 10 days and then released.

The Humane Society of Utah has often said pit bulls receive a bad reputation based on trained behavior initiated by owners.

"There is a continuing debate about pits, and some cities have even enacted bans on private ownership of these dogs," said Gene Baierschmidt, Humane Society of Utah executive director, in a previous interview. "But they've gotten a bad reputation because irresponsible people have exploited the very characteristics that can also make them loyal, affectionate pets."

Snyder said she didn't think the little dog on Tuesday was seriously injured and that the girls were not injured. They were "pretty shook up," she said.

e-mail: lgroves@desnews.com