The Region - News from Sept. 15, 1987

A pit bull terrier was shot and killed by a Los Angeles police officer who feared the dog would attack him as officers tried to arrest the dog’s owner. Called to the home on 56th Street by neighbors complaining of loud music, officers found David Alfredo, 25, and Ignacio Fuentes, 36, drinking in their driveway and asked them to go inside. Police investigators said Alfredo punched Officer Roger Cheatham, which led to a struggle, joined by Cheatham’s partner, Officer Alvin Harden and Fuentes, in which the dog tried to bite Cheatham’s legs. Harden shot the animal three times. Alfredo and Fuentes were booked for investigation of battery on a police officer.