San Diego police shot a dog after it bit an officer's leg near Balboa Park on Monday evening, according to San Diego police.
The shooting was reported at about 6:15 p.m. near the intersection of Sixth Avenue and Balboa Drive at the northwest corner of Balboa Park, according to San Diego Police Department Officer John Buttle.
Officers were in the park on Monday responding to complaints of transients in the area, SDPD Lt. Christian Sharp told NBC 7.
The officers were talking to two transients, a man and a woman, who had an unleashed dog.
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"The dog became agitated and attacked the officer. Before the officer could get the dog off, the dog bit his leg twice. He fired two rounds from his service pistol twice to get the dog off of him," Lt. Sharp said. The dog then ran away, was found a short time later and transported a veterinary hospital.
The officer was sent to the hospital with wounds to his lower leg, Lt. Sharp said.
NBC 7 asked police why the officer used a lethal weapon against the dog.
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"There is no time for less lethal. This officer is getting chopped down by the dog. I mean, he could get significant ligament damage, if not, muscle damage and what not," Lt. Sharp said.
Both the man and the woman who were with the dog have been detained, Lt. Sharp said.
San Diego police are still investigating the incident.
An earlier version of this story stated that the dog had died. San Diego police later corrected their information to clarify that the dog had not died—Ed.
