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Crime & Safety

Pit Bull That Killed Terrier Tried to Attack A Person Minutes Before, Police Say

The pit bull's owners could face fines and the dog could be euthanized, authorities say

A pit bull that bit a woman and killed her dog could face euthanasia, police said Tuesday.

The attack occurred Monday morning on 10th and H streets when a 3-year-old pitbull and a 4-month-old Rottweiler/pitbull mix pounced on a 19-year-old woman and her small terrier, authorities said.

The woman was bitten on the hand when she tried to save her dog, but the terrier was ultimately killed in the attack.

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This was despite two good Samaritans who tried to intervene and stop the attack.

Police say that two city workers saw the two unleashed dogs attempting to attack a person walking around the area only minutes before the attack on the terrier.

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They followed the two dogs in their truck and jumped out to help when they say they saw the young woman and her dog being mauled.

One dog released the terrier and gave up the attack after one of the workers hit it repeatedly with a shovel, authorities said.

Police were called to the scene and followed one of the dogs back home to confront the owners. Officers said the owner said the dogs escaped through an unlocked side gate.

The dogs are currently quarantined in the Tri-City Animal Shelter pending a “vicious dog hearing.”

Union City Police Department Lt. Ben Horner said the future of both dogs as well as possible punishment for their owners won't be clear until the hearing, which should happen in about 10 days.

"Dogs have to be licensed and registered and have rabies shots," said Horner. "They are also required to be on leash. Whether all of those things will turn out to be violations is still unclear."

Veterinarians will determine if the dog that bit the woman had any diseases such as rabies, although Horner said those cases are rare.

He also said that vicious dog attacks are a relative rarity in the city, with only about two to three cases a year. A in January after the child went into a yard where the dogs were kept.

On Monday in San Mateo, police shot and killed two dogs, both boxers, who had gotten out of a yard and were running around a public park acting aggressive.

Horner said the Union City attack is a reminder that people need to keep a closer eye on their dogs as well as educate themselves on the legal requirements of owning a pet.

"I would suggest every pet owner familiarize themselves with the municipal pet code," said Horner. "People may not realize that there's more to it than just going out and buying a dog."

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