A Sheriff's deputy responding to an alleged pit bull attack on a man and his Shih Tzu turned his weapon on the pit bull after it reportedly targeted him, authorities said Wednesday.
The man and his Shih Tzu received unspecified injuries in the attack, which deputies responded to, Dec. 31 at 9:15 p.m., in the 200 block of Calle Luna, according to Whittier Daily News.
The arriving deputy saw the pit bull with its teeth clenched around the biceps of the man as he held his Shih Tzu. The deputy was able to get the pit bull off the man, but that is when the pit bull reportedly turned on the deputy, according to the Tribune.
The deputy shot the pit bull once in the hips and it ran away. The pit bull was later found and the owner transported the dog to an area veterinarian, authorities said.
The condition of the man and his Shih Tzu was not immediately known.
