Local News in Brief : Tustin : Charges Considered in Dog Attack on Officer
A pit bullterrier that attacked a police officer will remain at the county Animal Shelter until police decide whether to file charges against the owner.
According to police, Officer Mike Velko, 38, had gone to a home in the 14600 block of Carfax Avenue at about 5:21 p.m. Tuesday, responding to a report of the owner siccing the dog on neighborhood children.
Velko said he found the dog on a leash at the owner’s home. But as he was interviewing the owner, the dog was allowed to roam free around the house. At one point, according to police spokeswoman Terrie Richardson, the dog lunged at Velko for no apparent reason, nipped his face and bit his left forearm. The bites did not require stitches, Richardson said.
The Tustin Police Department declined to identify the dog owner’s name.
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