2 Pit Bulls Killed by Torrance Police

Two Torrance police officers shot and killed two pit bull dogs who they said charged them as they were investigating a loud party early Saturday.

Both animals were shot once after police answered a call at 12:30 a.m. at the Del Amo Village Apartments, 1828 Plaza Del Amo, said Lt. Larry Robinson. He said the actions of the officers, whose names were not released, are being investigated.

“When the officers arrived and knocked on the door, it opened and a couple of pit bulls came charging out,” Robinson said, adding that the dogs were unleashed. “The officers backed away but the pit bulls kept coming.”

However, a neighbor who witnessed the shooting said the dogs did not attack but came out of the door sniffing in a “friendly” manner. The woman, who asked that her name not be used, said, “The dogs just came out to sniff at them like they sniff at everybody. I don’t think there was any reason to shoot.”

Apartment manager Estelle Hanks said Saturday morning that she had received no complaints about the dogs since she took over management of the 132-unit complex in March.

Tenant Susan Hershey, who Hanks said was the owner of the dogs, could not be reached for comment.

Responding to complaints about pit bull attacks, Torrance passed an ordinance in July, 1987, permitting “destruction of dangerous animals.” The last pit bull attack in Torrance was in June, 1986, City Manager LeRoy Jackson said Saturday. In July, 1987, shortly after the ordinance was passed, Torrance police killed a dog after an attack but it was not a pit bull, he said.