Neighbors react to dog shot in Takoma Park for attacking owner

TAKOMA PARK, Maryland (DC News Now) – Neighbors were on edge after a woman’s dog attacked and then shot her Tuesday.

“I was sleeping and was woken up by this barking noise,” said Elianne Lieberman.

Takoma Park Police responded to a dog attack in the 8300 block of Roanoke Avenue just after 1 a.m. Tuesday.

Lieberman lives near where the dog attack occurred and did not know it was a dog attacking its owner until he found out what had happened.

“I think because we’re in the woods, maybe it’s a coyote chasing a deer,” she said. “Kind of like an animal encounter. Then I heard crying.”

Lieberman said the barking and crying continued until she heard three gunshots, after which she quickly called 911.

“The shots said, ‘Okay, this is too much for me to just leave it like that,'” she said.

According to police, a neighbor who lives nearby heard the woman’s cries for help and rushed out of his house. He saw the dog dragging its owner before the owner charged at him. He then pulled out a gun and shot the dog twice.

Matt Thomas lives in the area and is a dog owner himself.

“It’s unfortunate that this happened,” Thomas said.

He said that many people in the neighborhood have pets and that he has heard of dogs threatening neighbors in the past, so he keeps his dog close and makes sure he is well-behaved.

“It’s like a child with four legs,” Thomas said. “It’s like your baby. You can’t take your eyes off the children for too long.”

According to police, the dog died from its gunshot wounds and the woman who was attacked was taken to hospital for treatment.