Philadelphia officer shot, killed 2 dogs that attacked young woman breaking up dog fight

A police officer with the Philadelphia Police Department was placed on administrative leave after he fatally shot two dogs for attacking a young woman in West Philadelphia.

Philadelphia Police Department, in a news release, said that shortly before 9:00 a.m. Wednesday officers responded to a call for "a woman screaming and being attacked by dogs."

Officers arrived at the scene to three dogs fighting with each other. A police officer "discharged his weapon multiple times, striking and fatally wounding" two dogs, of which one was a stray and one a pet.

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Dog bit victim's arm, ankle

Police said that the incident occurred as the victim, an 18-year-old woman, was walking down the street and a 57-year-old man called her for help regarding two pitbulls fighting on his porch.

The victim "approached the dogs and used mace on them, managing to separate one of the pitbulls, believed to be a stray, from the resident's dog," police said.

However, a second pitbull belonging to the resident ran out of the house at that moment and attacked the woman, biting her on the arm and ankle.

While the victim was able to free herself from the dog's grasp and run away, the three dogs turned on each other and were engaged in a fight when the police arrived, and an officer shot at them. Police said that of the two dogs that were killed, one was a stray, while the other, a pitbull, belonged to the resident.

The woman was transported to a local hospital for a treatment and is in stable condition, a spokesperson of the police department told USA TODAY. Meanwhile, the resident, who "sustained a dog bite to his chest during the dog fight," declined medical attention, police said. Both victims have not been identified.

Philadelphia Animal Control took custody of the two deceased dogs. The third dog is with its owner, the spokesperson said.

Investigation ongoing

Police said that police body camera footage captured the incident and that an investigation is ongoing.

Meanwhile, the 34-year-old discharging officer, who has been with the Philadelphia Police Department for five years has been placed on administrative duty till the investigation is complete. Police did not share his identity.

Dog attacks in the U.S. on the rise

In recent years, more and more dogs have bitten, mauled and killed in America. In the past decade, the number of fatal dog attacks more than doubled, from an average of roughly 40 a year to nearly 100 after the pandemic hit, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, pet owners, law makers and animal experts remain divided on how to deal with the issue.

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @saman_shafiq7.