Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Say Officers Shot Three Dogs During Two Separate Attacks

According to Charlotte-Mecklenburg police, officers have been required to shoot three pit bulls in two recent attacks in which two people required hospitalization for the personal injuries they suffered.

On August 10, animal control officers arrived at a residence on John McCarroll Avenue at approximately 1 p.m., where they discovered two people who had been attacked by pit bulls, according to police. The officers contacted paramedics to treat the victims and the police to aid with the dogs.

Police say the dogs charged the officers, who shot and injured both of them. The owner surrendered the dogs, which were later euthanized and sent for rabies analysis, according to police.

Police said the two victims required transport to Carolinas Medical Center with injuries not believed to be life-threatening.

The other attack took place on August 7, when detectives attempted to serve a search warrant at a home on Taylor Avenue. According to police, the resident released two pit bulls that attempted to attack the officers. One dog was shot and wounded and later euthanized. The other was taken to animal control.

According to Charlotte-Mecklenburg police, dog bites have seen an increase of 20 percent in 2009. In 2008, there were 166 reported dog bites. So far this year, there have been 208. Police say there were 23 reported bites in July.