Wednesday, August 30, 1989

Florida: Vicious pit bull attacks and kills a cat, mauls another dog and then lunges at animal control officer's window smashing the glass before an officer tries to shoot it

FLORIDA -- A Broward Sheriff's Office deputy on Tuesday shot at an 80-pound pit bull terrier that lunged at a animal control officer who was trying to capture the snarling animal, authorities said.

The dog, which had killed a cat and attacked a dog in the Silver Oaks Mobile Home Park in the 5900 block of Southwest 34th Street near Davie, leaped against a window on Broward County Animal Control Officer Lori Morris's truck, Animal Control Director Alan Davis said.

The dog smashed the window and showered the frightened officer with shards of glass as Morris attempted to hook it with a catch pole, Davis said.

Deputy Sue Sumrall fired one round at the dog but apparently did not injure the animal, which retreated to its yard, authorities said.

"The dog was not shot," Davis said. "The dog was bleeding, but the veteranian seems to indicate he somehow got his toenail cut."

The dog was later taken to the animal control compound, and investigators late Tuesday were trying to locate its owner, Sheriff's Office spokesman Jim Leljedal said.

(Sun Sentinel - August 30, 1989)