3 Killed in Shootout Over Seizing of Dog

The owner of a pit bull opened fire on police trying to take his dog into quarantine Wednesday, starting a shootout that left him, his father and one officer dead.

The dog had bitten at least three people in recent weeks and was overdue for its rabies vaccination, Lt. Mike Sims said.

The 21-year-old dog owner repeatedly refused officers’ demands to take the animal in for routine tests and would not let authorities take the it from him, Sims said.

The identities of the shooting victims were not released. The slain officer was a 19-year police veteran.

Four officers tried to arrest the dog owner Wednesday afternoon. He resisted, starting a scuffle that spilled from the house into the yard, Sims said.

Officers sprayed the dog owner with Mace, but he broke free, ran inside, grabbed a shotgun and fired at least twice, hitting one officer. Two officers fired back.