An Ottawa Police officer was forced to fire his weapon, in self defense, after a dog attacked him. Yesterday afternoon, March 3rd, about 2:00, someone reported an aggressive pitbull running loose in the 700 block of South Cypress. Officers responded to the scene, found the dog and it charged at officers. They attempted to catch it but could not because of aggressive behavior. They requested assistance of another unit with a tranquilizer gun; however, before that officer arrived, the dog charged another officer, who discharged his firearm, striking the animal. It retreated to a fenced pe with another dog, that was also aggressive, delaying medical treatment. Eventually, officers were able to retrieve the injured dog and transport it to a local vet for emergency treatment.
Police Chief Adam Weingartner says he is thankful no officers or citizens were injured during the attack. The owner of the dogs, 61 year old Floyd Atchison, of Ottawa, was issued citations for keeping a vicious animal, animal at large, keeping a prohibited pit bull, no city animal registration and no current rabies vaccination.
