NORTH SMITHFIELD, R.I. -- A pit bull-type dog that attacked five people Thursday was fatally shot as it turned to attack two North Smithfield police officers, the police said.
Capt. Glenn G. Lamoureux said the victims, who were not identified, were caring for the dog while the owner, who lives in the downstairs apartment, went on vacation.
One of the victims called 911 around 5:30 Thursday afternoon.
When officers arrived at 835 Eddie Dowling Highway (Route 146), they found the dog in mid-attack.
"The scene was quite chaotic," Lamoureux said. People were on the ground "screaming for help."
First, Lamoureux said, the officers tried dousing the dog with pepper spray. "That didn't help. They tried kicking the dog while it was biting someone; that didn't work. Then it turned for the officers, that's when they each shot one round," killing the dog, Lamoureux said.
The five, all adults, told police they had a gathering to celebrate the Fourth of July and the dog got agitated as several people started play-wrestling, so they put the dog in the house. The dog, Lamoureux said, apparently got out twice through a window, attacking the party-goers, each time acting more aggressively.
The dog's body was turned over to the state Department of Environmental Management for "disease testing," Lamoureux said, adding the department did not appear to have any previous complaints on the dog. The police are also looking into whether the dog was licensed and up-to-date on vaccines.
No criminal charges have been filed.