Pit Bulls Attack Two Men In Downtown Stockton, Kill Cat
STOCKTON (CBS13) — Two pit bulls terrorized the streets of Stockton, attacking two men and killing a cat before charging at police.
Stockton Police say the incident is still under investigation whether the pit bulls' owners, who did come forward, will face charges.
CBS13 spoke to a man who witnessed one of the vicious attacks and later spoke to the officer about why he pulled the trigger.
John Murray says he helplessly watched the two dogs viciously attack a defenseless cat from a second-floor window.
"I heard some barking, and some hissing," he said. "They were wild. They were like hyenas; they had their mouths open they were clawing and biting like crazy."
Stockton Police say the two pit bulls got loose and went on the attack through downtown on Friday morning.
"This was a dangerous situation," said Stockton Police spokesman Joe Silva.
The pit bulls attacked one man, sending him to the hospital, then bit another man before mauling and killing the cat.
CBS13 video shows the dogs coming toward police before one officer opens fire. We've decided not to show the graphic video, instead stopping the video just before the shot is fired.
The dogs took off running again. Animal control and police got up with them minutes later before anyone else was hurt.
"There's a lot going through that officer's mind before he takes the shot," Silva said.
It was a split-second decision. The officer who opened fire later came back to take Murray's statement. The officer opened up about why he pulled the trigger, telling John he believed the dogs were preparing to attack him.
"He said he has a daughter and a family to take care of, and that's what came into his mind when the pit bull came at him, that he has to protect himself," Murray said.
The pit bull that was shot was rushed to a vet for surgery. The other was put into quarantine. Police say the two men who were injured have non-life-threatening injuries.
