A 3-year-old pit bull that was shot and injured when he charged at two police officers near San Francisco’s United Nations Plaza on Monday evening is recovering in Animal Care and Control’s custody while a police investigation into the incident is underway.
The dog’s name is Felony Jack and he is a neutered male pit bull with brown and white coloring, according to Deb Campbell at San Francisco Animal Care and Control.
Campbell said Felony Jack has no documented history of violence.
According to police, officers in a marked police car were patrolling the area near Fulton and Hyde streets around 6:45 p.m. on Monday, when they noticed a man with a dog standing on the sidewalk near the Asian Art Museum.
Officers noted that the man was in possession of narcotic paraphernalia.
The officers got out of their patrol car to speak with the man and as officers approached the man, Felony Jack began to charge at the officers, police said.
Felony Jack’s owner did not have control over the dog’s leash as the dog ran toward the officers, police said.
Fearing for their safety, the officers retreated in order to create a distance between them and the dog. One of the officers fired approximately two to three rounds at the dog, grazing Felony Jack’s ear, according to police.
The animal’s owner then gained control of the dog and officers summoned Animal Care and Control to the scene.
Felony Jack was treated for his injury and is being held at the shelter pending a police investigation, Campbell said.
Felony Jack received stitches on his ear and is recovering, Campbell said.
She said the dog is doing well and that there is likely to be a vicious and dangerous dog hearing, at which point the dog’s owner will have a chance to present evidence as to whether the dog is vicious.
Campbell said the hearings are held at San Francisco City Hall every Thursday and can result in a dog being required to wear a muzzle or even being put down.
Felony Jack is also receiving socialization lessons through a program at the shelter, called Fetch.
Hannah Albarazi, Bay City News
