ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, August 21, 1996 TAG: 9608210015
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG
SOURCE: ROBERT FREIS STAFF WRITER
Police are still trying to identify the owner of a pit bull that was shot after terrorizing a neighborhood Sunday afternoon.
According to reports, the 50-pound dog got loose in the 600 block of Montgomery Street. It chased one person into a vehicle and forced several others who were gardening back into their homes.
The dog was shot after it attempted to attack two police officers. Police said three rounds were fired from two police handguns, and one shot struck the dog in the lower leg and chest.
The dog was taken to Town & Country Veterinary Clinic in Christiansburg by a county animal control officer. The dog's wounds were not life-threatening and it was reported to be in good condition.
No tag was found on the dog. Police believe its owner lives in the neighborhood where the incident occurred.
Though the dog did not bite anyone, a routine quarantine will be observed at the veterinary clinic to check for rabies. A more likely explanation for its behavior is that the dog was frightened and disoriented after getting loose, authorities said.
When located, the dog's owner will likely face citations involving leash-law violations and failing to obtain a county dog tag. The county requires proof of a current rabies test conducted by a licensed veterinarian before it will issue a dog tag.
Because Blacksburg police officers fired weapons during the incident, it is being administratively reviewed, police said.
However, the officers have not been placed on leave while the review is in progress because of the nature of the incident, police said.
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