Newport Beach police kill pack of dogs after mother, son attacked
Three dogs, apparently traveling in a pack, were shot and killed by Newport Beach police officers early Friday after one or more of the animals attacked a mother and son near a hotel, authorities said.
The attack occurred at 5:36 a.m. when two people, possibly guests at the Marriott Newport Coast Villas, were bitten, said Sgt. Todd Hughes of the Newport Beach Police Department.
Both victims were taken to Hoag Hospital with minor injuries, said Jennifer Schulz, a Newport Beach Fire Department spokeswoman.
It was unclear if all three dogs bit the victims or how many bites they suffered.
The dogs, which appeared to be pit pulls, were later found by an officer, who said the animals advanced on him when he got out of his patrol car.
“He retreated back in the vehicle,” Hughes said.
A witness reported hearing 10 shots fired.
The dogs had no tags, and no identification microchips were found when their bodies were later scanned, he said.
“We have no idea who owned them or where they came from,” Hughes said.
The Newport Beach police released a statement providing additional information about the case:
At approximately 5:30 a.m. this morning Newport Beach police officers responded to the Marriott Newport Coast Villas in response to a call that a female guest and her son at that location had been attacked by three pit bulls. The pit bulls, traveling in a pack, were last seen running on the golf course. A responding officer located the animals on Newport Coast Drive just north of East Coast Highway. When the officer exited his vehicle to approach the dogs they immediately charged him, forcing him to retreat back into his vehicle. All three dogs began aggressively attacking the police vehicle. Additional officers responded to the location, along with an Animal Control vehicle containing specialized equipment designed to safely restrain animals. The officers intended to try and safely corral and capture the animals. Responding officers were unable to exit their vehicles due to the aggressive behavior of the dogs. Officers were not only concerned for their own safety, but more importantly this location is frequented by joggers, cyclists, golfers, and many others. After assessing the vicious and aggressive behavior of these pit bulls, and in the interest of public safety, the supervisor on scene authorized the officers to euthanize the dogs.
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-- Amy Senk
Image: Approximate location of incident shown in red. Credit: Google Maps
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