Police shoot dog after man attacked in Fayetteville

FAYETTEVILLE (WTVD) -- Authorities in Fayetteville are investigating after they say a police officer shot a pit bull early Wednesday morning.

Police said the incident happened around 12:30 a.m. along the 200 block of Gertrude Street in the Bonnie Doone neighborhood after officers received a call about a dog bite.

Fifty-year-old Michael Harris told police he was walking when two pit bulls attacked him. He had bite wounds on his left arm and his back, according to officials and was taken to the hospital.

Police said officers went to the home where the owner of the dogs lived and saw a dog barking behind a front window of the home. They said when the resident opened the door, one of the pit bulls ran toward the officers.

Authorities said that's when one of the officers fired his weapon twice - one of the rounds hit the ground and the second struck the dog as it continued to charge at the officers. The animal ran away after it was hit, but was found alive nearby.

The two dogs were then taken to Cumberland County Animal Control.

As part of standard practice and protocol, the Fayetteville Police Department said it will ensure that all policies and procedures were followed during the incident. The officers remain on active duty pending the investigation.