Officer Shoots Pit Bulls After Series of Attacks

A roaming group of pit bulls is responsible for three separate attacks Tuesday morning in Bay Terraces, according to San Diego police.

An officer ended up shooting all three dogs. Two dogs died at the scene, and the third dog had to be euthanized, officials said.

One of the victims, 60-year-old Norma Williams, told NBC 7 she was walking to church in the 1600 block of Dillard Street. That’s when she said the three pit bulls surrounded her and attacked, ripping her pants and biting her ankle.

Williams used an umbrella to fend them off and escaped by jumping over a neighbor’s fence.

“I’m so scared,” she said after the encounter.

READ: San Diego Dog Bites by Neighborhood

Resident Michael Ward, 19, heard the woman screaming and went outside to help.

“When I saw the dogs, they immediately came after me,” Ward said.

The dogs bit Ward on his torso and thigh before he managed to get back inside his house.

Officials said a third victim, a 79-year-old man, was taken to the hospital after he was bitten on the face and arm.

According to San Diego police, the dogs charged toward the officer when he arrived on scene. Fearing for his life, he shot all three dogs, instantly killing one of them. Police said one of the injured pit bulls was suffering, so the officer was given permission to end that dog's life, too.

The third dog was injured and had to be euthanized by a veterinarian, San Diego County Animal Services Lt. Kalani Hudson said.

Officials do not know who owned the dogs. They will be tested for rabies.

The attacks were first reported around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.