Key Takeaways
- A man shot a tan-and-white pit bull that was attacking a 9-year-old boy around 7 a.m. Friday on the 4900 block of West Girard Avenue in Philadelphia.
- The pit bull bit the boy on his legs and chest before the man fired to pull the child to safety.
- The 9-year-old was taken to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and was reported in stable condition.
- The dog was taken to the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for evaluation, and its condition has not been released.
- Police have not identified the man, the firearm, or the dog’s owner, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
PHILADELPHIA, PA — A man shot a tan-and-white pit bull that was attacking a 9-year-old boy Friday morning in Philadelphia’s Parkside section, according to police.
Officers responded around 7 a.m. to the 4900 block of West Girard Avenue for a report of a dog attack, as reported by 6abc. Investigators said the pit bull had bitten the boy.
The dog went after the child’s legs and chest. A man moved in to get the boy away. He shot the dog. Police said he fired in an effort to pull the child to safety.
The boy was taken to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and was reported in stable condition. The dog was taken to the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for further evaluation. Police have not said what condition the animal is in.
A dog attacking a 9-year-old does not leave much time. Adults can sometimes fight off a dog with their hands, a jacket, or a kick. A child that size often cannot, and bites to the chest put the attack close to vital organs. I have no idea yet whether this man had seconds or a full minute to act, but the outcome suggests he did not hesitate.
More from USA Carry:
Shooting a dog that is latched onto or tangled up with a child is one of the hardest shots a person can be asked to make. The target is moving, the child is inches away, and the backstop is a city block. Mindset and practice decide whether that shot ends the attack or adds a second injury. This is the kind of situation most people never train for, and the kind that does not wait for you to be ready.
Police have not identified the man or released details about the firearm, how many shots were fired, or who owns the dog. The investigation remains ongoing, and no further details, including any decision on charges, have been made public.
