Dog attack leaves 3 injured inside East Durham home; investigation underway

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- A pet was surrendered to authorities after a Thursday morning attack left three family members injured.

It happened inside a Durham home around 3 a.m. on East Main Street.

The family said their Pitbull mix became aggressive after being 'spooked' by something outside. The dog attacked the adult son in a bedroom, biting his legs and arms multiple times. The mother tried to stop the dog, but was also bitten along with a juvenile son.

The family locked themselves in a bedroom on the third-floor until emergency responded arrived. Some managed to climb out a window and down a ladder, while the Durham Fire Department rescued one person.

Durham County Sheriff's Office Animal Services also responded to the scene. They took the dog to the Animal Protection Society of Durham.

Under local and state ordinances, the Durham County Sheriff's Office Animal Services will conduct a Dangerous Dog Investigation to assess the severity of the injuries and whether the attack was unprovoked. Depending on the findings, the dog could face confinement, mandatory insurance requirements, or euthanasia if deemed a threat to public safety. APS of Durham will determine the dog's next steps following the investigation's conclusion.