ATLANTIC CITY — Two city police officers shot and killed a dog Saturday on North Connecticut Avenue after it attacked a boy on the street, police said.
Police also recovered an illegal handgun found on the boy.
Neighbors called police about 3:32 p.m. Saturday to warn about a vicious dog chasing children. A subsequent caller warned police that one of the victims was armed with a handgun, spokeswoman Sgt. Monica McMenamin said.
When Officer Chris LoDico arrived, he found a 15-year-old boy injured with numerous tears in his coat, sleeves and pants legs. The dog, a breed police described an American pit bull terrier, was nowhere in sight.
Police said the juvenile was limping and matched the description of the armed suspect. LoDico searched the boy and found an illegal handgun concealed in his jacket, McMenamin said.
She could not immediately say whether the gun was loaded.
When Officer Michelle Graham arrived and opened her patrol cruiser's door, she heard the approaching sound of a dog. She drew her duty weapon and shot the dog.
After putting the juvenile into the back of the cruiser, LoDico drew his weapon and also fired at the dog. McMenamin said the wounded dog circled the officers before lunging again. The two officers fired another salvo at the animal, which died at the scene.
The boy was taken by ambulance to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, City Division, for treatment of dog bites. He also was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon.
Police were investigating the shooting, including the ownership of the animal, McMenamin said. No officers were injured.
Neighbors reached by phone said they weren’t home at the time of the shooting.
Contact Michael Miller:
609-272-7217
