Pit Bulls Shot After Attacking Officers

[heidiho]

WESTMINSTER, Colo. -- Westminster police officers were forced to shoot two marauding pit bulls Monday afternoon after they chased several people and attacked a cat.

An animal control officer was sent to the 4800 block of West 69th Avenue at about 12:26 p.m., to investigate two aggressive pit bulls running at large in the neighborhood.


Jackie Ayala was served two summons for unlawful ownership of a dangerous dog.



When the officer arrived, he spotted the two pit bulls and an elderly woman walking in the area. When the officer approached the dogs, they started to chase the woman and the officer. The two made it to the animal control truck and called for emergency assistance.

The animal control officer followed the two pit bulls in his truck and saw the dogs attack a cat in the 5100 block of West 69th Avenue. The cat's owner attempted to rescue the pet and the dogs turned on her, according to the animal control officer.

Police cornered the dogs and they attacked, forcing the officer to first use a stun gun and then shoot them. One dog died at the scene and the other was taken to a local veterinary hospital for treatment of his wounds.

The owner of the pit bulls, Jackie Ayala, 20, was served a summons for two counts of unlawful ownership of a dangerous dog. His first court appearance is set for April 8.

Discuss: Are Pit Bulls Getting Bad Rap?

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December 15, 2004: Pit Bull Owner Sentenced For Mauling Death
September 26, 2004: Pit Bull Owner Faces Up To 6 Years For Fatal Attack
September 15, 2004: Pit Bull Killed After 2-Year-Old Attacked
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July 26, 2004: Judge Orders Pit Bull Owner To Pay For Victim's Hospital Bills
July 15, 2004: Fort Lupton Defies State Law, Bans Pit Bulls
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June 14, 2004: Pit Bull Shot Following Backyard Attack
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April 26, 2004: Pit Bull Owners Plead Not Guilty To Homicide
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February 9, 2004: Woman Attacked By Pit Bulls; Dogs Shot To Death
February 9, 2004: Police Kill Pit Bull During Domestic Disturbance Call
February 2, 2004: Pit Bull Sought In Attack On Child
January 6, 2004: Charges Pursued In Fatal Dog Mauling
December 12, 2003: Return Of Pit Bulls Has Neighbor Contemplating Move
December 8, 2003: Deputies Search Pit Bull Owner's Home
December 5, 2003: Pit Bull Owner Not 'Monster Being Portrayed'
December 2, 2003: Pit Bulls' Owner Will Be Charged
December 1, 2003: Pit Bulls Maul Woman To Death
March 7, 2003: Pit Bull Owner Cited Again After More Dogs Discovered
April 19, 2002: Owner Of Pit Bulls Faces Multiple Charges
March 15, 2002: Women Injured In Pit Bull Attack
November 5, 2001: Pit Bull Shot After Attacking Owner