Police Rescue Man After Pit Bulls Attack, Drag Him Down Street

[Updated at 11:00 a.m.] Police officers were forced to fire a shotgun at three pit bulls who attacked a cyclist in Pasadena around 5:00 a.m. Wednesday morning.

Police say a witness  in the 1400 block of North Fair Oaks Avenue called 911 to report that the dogs had dragged the cyclist down the street. She said the man broke free and took refuge on top of a parked car. The dogs remained nearby, pacing beside the vehicle.

Pasadena Police responded and located the victim, Pasadena resident Andrew Ross, 37,  still on top of the car.

Ross pointed out the three dogs standing on the sidewalk north of them. When officers illuminate the dogs, they quickly walked south on the east sidewalk but then turned and aggressively approached the officers,

“The dogs were barking and growling as they got near the officers, who discharged a shotgun,” Lt. Tracey Ibarra said.

One officer discharged his shotgun multiple times striking the three dogs. One dog immediately fell to the ground and the other two dogs ran south. The two dogs were located nearby and taken into custody by Animal Control. One dog died at the scene and the two other dogs sustained injuries and are receiving veterinary services. The dogs did not have dog tags and their owner is unknown.

Pasadena Humane Society spokesperson Ricki Whitman said the two injured dogs are being treated at a local veterinarian facility. The condition of the dogs is not known. Whitman would not confirm that the dogs are pit bulls.

Officers learned that Ross had been walking his bike southbound on Fair Oaks Avenue when the three dogs charged him from across the street. Ross tried to position his bicycle between him and the three attacking dogs attempting to bite his legs. At least one dog did make contact with Ross’s left leg, resulting in minor puncture wounds.

Ultimately, Ross dropped his bicycle and jumped onto the hood of a vehicle parked on Fair Oaks Avenue. He remained there until officers arrived and the dogs were no longer a threat.

Police Chief Phillip Sanchez stated, “It was very fortunate the victim was not badly injured by the attacking dogs. If the animals had been properly secured, this might not have happen. In this instance the officer’s quick actions prevented anyone else from being harmed.”