Office kills one of two pit bulls during chase for suspect

A Columbus police officer shot one of two pit bulls after they charged after him Tuesday afternoon while officers were chasing a suspect at Colorado Street and Booker Avenue.

The unidentified officer wasn’t injured during the attack and the shooting is under investigation by the department’s Office of Professional Standards, Police Maj. J.D. Hawk said. The officer hadn’t been placed on leave by late Tuesday afternoon.

Officers were in the area chasing a suspect when the man ran through a back yard. An officer was right behind the suspect and a second followed . That officer was attacked by two pit bulls inside the yard.

“When the officer came across the fence, he was being chased by two pit bulls,” Hawk said of the second officer chasing the suspect.

The officer pulled his .45-caliber semi-automatic pistol and shot one of the two pit bulls. The other dog apparently left as the owner was able to get it inside the house.

Officers frequently face dogs during investigations in neighborhoods. “The officer doesn’t know whether it’s a friendly dog when it comes after him,” Hawk said.

This story was originally published May 10, 2016 at 5:24 PM with the headline "Office kills one of two pit bulls during chase for suspect."