Deputies kill 2 pit bulls that attack goats, horse in Yucaipa

A deputy in San Bernardino County fatally shot two pit bulls that had killed three goats and wounded a horse before trying to attack officers, authorities said Wednesday night.

The violence began shortly after 8 a.m. Wednesday when the deputies responded to the 12200 block of Eleventh Street in Yucaipa, authorities said.

Three pit bulls had just killed a goat and were attacking other goats inside a pen, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.

Animal control officers arrived to help capture the dogs. But one of the pit bulls began to charge a deputy.

The deputy was “forced to shoot and kill the charging dog” to defend the officers, department authorities said in a statement.

A second pit bull tried to attack the officers and deputies and was shot dead when one of the deputies opened fire. The third dog was captured by the officers.

Deputies later discovered the three goats had been killed by the dogs, which had also entered a corral and attacked the horse, according to authorities.

Witnesses told investigators that that there had been previous incidents with the dogs, which did not have tags or collars. Deputies went to a home where the owner was reportedly living, but no one was there.

An investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call authorities at (909) 790-3105.

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robert.lopez@latimes.com