2 Dogs Bite Boy, Attack Officer in Sun Valley

Two roving dogs, one of which had bitten a 6-year-old Sun Valley boy, attacked an off-duty Los Angeles police officer, officials said Wednesday.

Detective Robert Stresak, 36, was working a second job as a security officer at a Sun Valley condominium development in the 9500 block of Via Ricardo about 5 p.m. Tuesday when he was alerted by residents that a Doberman pinscher and a German shepherd had attacked the boy, Detective Floyd Simmons said.

Stresak found the dogs going through trash cans in an alley, Simmons said, and called animal control officers. Before they arrived, however, the dogs leaped at Stresak and tore his coat. Stresak drew his gun and shot the Doberman, Simmons said. The other dog fled. Police said it was unclear how many shots were fired.

Simmons said Stresak was not injured. The boy, who was not identified, was treated for a minor wound on his hand, authorities said.

Lt. Robert Pena of the Los Angeles Animal Regulation Department said that only the German shepherd had attacked the boy. That dog was later caught and will be kept under quarantine at the East Valley Animal Shelter in North Hollywood until it can be determined whether it has rabies, Pena said. He said the Doberman was seriously wounded but is expected to survive.

The Doberman was expected to be picked up at the animal shelter by its owner, John De La Valle of Sun Valley, and taken to an animal hospital. Ownership of the German shepherd was unclear, Pena said.

Pena said authorities had not determined whether action would be taken against the dogs’ owners.