Philadelphia police officer given administrative duties after shooting two pit bulls in dog fight

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — According to police, an officer was placed on administrative duty after he shot two pit bulls in West Philadelphia on Wednesday.

Harry Briggs said as he mourns the loss of his pit bull Coco, he replays the dog attack over and over in his head.

“I ran into the house and got them some water, and when I came back out the dog attacked him,” Briggs said.

Philadelphia police said Coco and a suspected stray pit bull were fighting outside Briggs’ home in the 1500 block of North 57th Street.

During the fight, 18-year-old Alexandrea said she came out the front door and heard the commotion.

Alexandrea said she had a pit bull herself, so she took action.

“If my dog ​​was in this situation, I would want someone to help me. At the end of the day, I know I did the right thing, but it didn’t have the expected outcome,” she said.

Alexandrea said she pepper-sprayed the dogs and managed to separate them, but then Briggs’ second pit bull ran out of the house.

The second dog is said to have attacked her and bitten her wrist and ankle.

According to police, Briggs was also bitten in the chest.

Alexandrea escaped while all three dogs allegedly attacked each other. When an officer arrived at the scene, police fired several shots, killing the stray dog ​​and Coco.

The dead dogs were taken into custody by Philadelphia Animal Control.

“I was angry about the dogs because when I heard the shot, I thought, ‘It didn’t have to come to this,'” Alexandrea said. “Owners should be more responsible with their dogs.”

A 6abc map shows at least four other locations in Philadelphia where a police officer has shot a dog in an attack since January 10.

ACCT Philly reminds residents to be aware of their surroundings and shares this message with dog owners.

“Make sure your dogs are socialized and keep them on a leash,” said Sarah Barnett, executive director of ACCT Philly. “Keep them in designated areas, so don’t just let them out into the yard and then go back in to do something. Watch them.”

Barnett said it’s important to be proactive to prevent these attacks. If a resident frequently sees stray dogs or neighbors’ dogs are behaving aggressively, they should contact them, she says.

Alexandrea is recovering at home but says she has difficulty walking because of her ankle and will need to return to the hospital for more rabies vaccinations.

The 34-year-old officer has been with the police for five years, police said.

He was given an administrative mandate until the investigation was completed.